ILEANA GARCÍA ‘MAGODA’

B. 1985, Mexico City

Ileana García Magoda creates compelling acrylic paintings that explore the liminal space between physical fragility and spiritual transcendence. Informed by her experience with Occult Spinal Dysraphism, her work transmutes personal struggle into universal themes of resilience and transformation.

García Magoda's canvases feature vibrant, almost psychedelic flora—a recurring motif symbolizing life's delicate balance and hinting at alternate, pain-free realities. Her unique visual language is enriched by her multidisciplinary background: graphic design (National Autonomous University of Mexico, 2003), art direction in television, and an acclaimed career in electronic music as 'Smurphy', which infuses her visual art with a rhythmic, almost synesthetic sensibility.

Since focusing solely on painting in 2021, García Magoda has rapidly gained international recognition. Her work, showcased in Mexico City, Miami, and Paris, offers a profound meditation on the human condition and the alchemical nature of art. Each piece stands as a testament to the power of creativity to reshape perception and transcend physical limitations.

CV

STUDIES

2003 - 200878
Graphic Design, specializing in Illustration,
National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM,
class of 2003. Undergraduate

SOLO SHOWS

“Angels of Power, Angels of Beauty”,
Bernheim Gallery Zurich
11.15.2024 - 01.25.2025, Zurich, Switzerland

“Crystallizations”,
Finca Don Porfirio Independent Space,
01.2023 - 02.2023, Mexico City

“The Healing Power of Image”,
Radio Nopal independent space,
06.2022 - 07.2022 Mexico City

“Formas Rituales”
Momoroom independent space, 11.2021 - 01.2022
Mexico City

GROUP SHOWS

‘From Nature’ by Whitewall Art Projects, Art Basel Paris
Curated by Emma Donnersber, Marion Guggenheim & Nicholas Dewavrin
10.14.2024 to 11.02.2024, Paris

‘Memorias en Tensión’ by 54 Gallery Mérida,
10.04.24 to 11.04.2024, Mérida, Yucatán, MX

‘Dádivas’ by The Black Piglet, Maison Celeste,
09.19.24 to 10.19.24, Mexico City

‘De aquí para allá’, 54 Gallery Mexico City,
17.08.24 to 17.09.2024 Mexico City

‘The Rendezvous’, by MEY Gallery at Nowita Art House,
09.06.2024 to 07.07.2024, Los Angeles

‘Ileana Magoda & Emma Donnersberg’, Vzug Paris
04.04.2024 to 04.05.2024, Paris

‘BOLD’, The Black Piglet at Foro La Paz,
08.03.2024 to 08-04.2024 Mexico City

‘Sanctuaries’, EDJI Gallery,
24.02.2024 to 23.032024, Brussels, Belgium

‘Troubling Postures’, Open Call,
ASC Studios, 12.2023, London

‘Venimos a Ver’, emerging art gallery,
ongoing exhibition since 11.2023, Cancun

‘Don’t Stop Keep Going’,The Black Piglet
Galería Unión, 09.2023, Mexico City

‘MAUD Art Gallery’, emerging art gallery
ongoing exhibition since 2023, Edmonton, CA

‘Naturalezas Microscópicas’, Amalgama independent space
08.2023 to 09.2023, Guadalajara, MX

‘Manuk Art Gallery’ by Lourdes Rivera,
continuous exhibition since 2022, San Miguel de Allende, MX

'MOONI Gallery of Emerging Art’,
continuous exhibition since May 2021, Mexico City

‘Machete Gallery of Emerging Art’,
continuous exhibition 2021-2022, Mexico City

ART FAIRS

‘THEMA’ Art & Design Fair
10.15.2024 to 10.20.2024, Paris

‘TRYST 2024’, Torrance Museum,
08.23.24 to 08.25.2024, Torrance, CA

‘21st Edition of the LisbonArt and Antiques Fair’,
Gallery Rui Freire, 04.12.24 to 04.21.24, Lisbon

QIPO Art Fair, The Black Piglet curatiorial project,
Art Week Mexico, 02.2024, Mexico City

Clavo Seis, emerging art fair, The Black Piglet project,
Art Week Mexico, 02.242024, Mexico City

Clandestina Art Fair, The Black Piglet Project,
12.2023, Miami

Clavo Cinco, emerging art fair, The Black Piglet project,
04.2023, Mexico City

FAIN Feria, emerging art fair, open call,
12.2021, Mexico City

PAST WORK

2016 - 2021
Co-founder, creative and art director of CREA Studio, web design and digital marketing agency. Developing branding and UX design, working remotely with companies and web agencies in the US.

2011 - 2021
Electronic music producer, DJ, and live performer under the alias of Smurphy. Produced critically acclaimed albums released independently and on various labels such as N.A.A.F.I. (MX), Leaving Records (LA) and Bokeh Versions (UK), with live performances at Mutek MX, Mutek Montreal, NRMAL Festival, and others.

2008 - 2016
Creative and art director in advertising agencies. Among them, Alejandro González Iñárritu's “Z-Publicity” and “Central Films” where she worked closely with Rodrigo García Saiz and other film directors developing visualizations and art direction for international TV commercials. CDMX and LA.