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Biography

daniel guzmán - Artists - Kurimanzutto

daniel guzmán

1964, Mexico City

Voracious reader and incurable music lover, Daniel Guzmán digests, absorbs and recombines musical and literary references at his own discretion. His work is marked by an almost autobiographical sincerity. Comics and cartoons, song lyrics, Pre-Hispanic iconography and sensational press clippings – residues of the artist’s daily life in Mexico City and, more recently, in Guadalajara – combine and reconfigure as part of his vocabulary. Resulting from a constant, disciplined search, his drawings are guided by his hand’s intuition, which translates his references and imagination unto paper. Ink, pencil, acrylic or pastel alike serve to create images that seem to be in constant transformation, and which sometimes interlace with texts in a complex weave of connections and connotations. His sculptures, videos and installations are a reflection of a very personal and intimate territory, that emerges from such close examination of the culture and the urban landscape that surrounds him. With a strategic and contagious sense of humor, Guzmán shares the wide range of influences he has cultivated, and through which he reflects upon his experience of the world.

Guzmán earned his BFA in 1993 from the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Mexico City. In 2000, he was a resident at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York. He has been the recipient of various grants and awards from the Mexican Ministry of Culture, including: Sistema Nacional de Creadores (2005); FONCA: Jóvenes Creadores (1997); and the 1st Place from the II Concurso de Instalación Ex Teresa Arte Actual (1996).

Daniel Guzmán lives and works in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled (es como burroughs, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (es como burroughs, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (si me voy corriendo from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (si me voy corriendo from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (cosa rica, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (cosa rica, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), caridad, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

 


 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), caridad, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

 


 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), esperanza, 2001

drawings, collages, and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), esperanza, 2001

drawings, collages, and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), fe, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), fe, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

de monstruos, hienas, hombres y el vacío II, 2008

ink and acrylic on paper

27.56 x 39.37 in.

 

 

de monstruos, hienas, hombres y el vacío II, 2008

ink and acrylic on paper

27.56 x 39.37 in.

 

 

dazed and confused, 2004

painted wood and plastic bananas

24.02 x .47 x 34.65 in.

 

 

dazed and confused, 2004

painted wood and plastic bananas

24.02 x .47 x 34.65 in.

 

 

new york groove, 2004

video transferred to DVD

3 min

 

 

new york groove, 2004

video transferred to DVD

3 min

 

 

momentos irrepetibles, 2000

video transferred to DVD

1:30 min

 

 

momentos irrepetibles, 2000

video transferred to DVD

1:30 min

 

 

fuck you too (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

fuck you too (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

i am not an animal (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

i am not an animal (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

abi road (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

abi road (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

workoholic (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

workoholic (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

good days-bad days (para leónidas), 2010

metal and 12 tezontle stones

35.04 x 46.85 x 43.5 in.

 

 

good days-bad days (para leónidas), 2010

metal and 12 tezontle stones

35.04 x 46.85 x 43.5 in.

 

 

i.s., 2006

enamel and iron

set of two metallic structures, 83.46 x 271.65 x 107.48 in. each

 

 

i.s., 2006

enamel and iron

set of two metallic structures, 83.46 x 271.65 x 107.48 in. each

 

 

carnicería, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

carnicería, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

que poca mare, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

que poca mare, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

zona de guerra, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

zona de guerra, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

jimmie, 2006

golden fantasy chains, fantasy earrings, plastic net and foam

112.2 x 14.7 in.

 

 

jimmie, 2006

golden fantasy chains, fantasy earrings, plastic net and foam

112.2 x 14.7 in.

 

 

exilio, 2006

acrylic on wall

1.05 x 3.82 x .1 in.

 

 

exilio, 2006

acrylic on wall

1.05 x 3.82 x .1 in.

 

 

useless beauty, 2006

painted iron, fantasy jewlery

35.43 x 19.69 x 19.69 in.

 

 

useless beauty, 2006

painted iron, fantasy jewlery

35.43 x 19.69 x 19.69 in.

 

 

used beauty, 2006

iron, fantasy jewlery

22.44 x 10.63 in.

 

 

used beauty, 2006

iron, fantasy jewlery

22.44 x 10.63 in.

 

 

untitled (don´t hurt a woman, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.76 in.

 

 

untitled (don´t hurt a woman, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.76 in.

 

 

untitled (some are born to the endless night, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in. 

 

 

untitled (some are born to the endless night, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in. 

 

 

untitled (what a wonderful world, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled (what a wonderful world, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

p.p.p. retrato II (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. retrato II (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. levitation (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. levitation (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. crow (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. crow (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

el secreto del mal, 2008

hd video

16:36 min

 

 

el secreto del mal, 2008

hd video

16:36 min

 

 

untitled VIII, (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.64 in.

 

 

untitled VIII, (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.64 in.

 

 

untitled VII (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled VII (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled VI (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.83 in.

 

 

untitled VI (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.83 in.

 

 

untitled, from the series soup, cosmos and tears, 2011

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

untitled, from the series soup, cosmos and tears, 2011

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid I (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid I (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid II (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid II (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled, (from the series paisaje mental), 1996

ink on paper

15.75 x 25.2 in.

 

 

untitled (es como burroughs, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (es como burroughs, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (si me voy corriendo from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (si me voy corriendo from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (cosa rica, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

untitled (cosa rica, from the series carne negra), 1994

mixed media

23.62 x 27.56 in.

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), caridad, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

 


 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), caridad, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

 


 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), esperanza, 2001

drawings, collages, and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), esperanza, 2001

drawings, collages, and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), fe, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

hijo de tu puta madre (ya se quien eres, te he estado observando), fe, 2001

drawings, collages and collected material

variable dimensions 

 

 

de monstruos, hienas, hombres y el vacío II, 2008

ink and acrylic on paper

27.56 x 39.37 in.

 

 

de monstruos, hienas, hombres y el vacío II, 2008

ink and acrylic on paper

27.56 x 39.37 in.

 

 

dazed and confused, 2004

painted wood and plastic bananas

24.02 x .47 x 34.65 in.

 

 

dazed and confused, 2004

painted wood and plastic bananas

24.02 x .47 x 34.65 in.

 

 

new york groove, 2004

video transferred to DVD

3 min

 

 

new york groove, 2004

video transferred to DVD

3 min

 

 

momentos irrepetibles, 2000

video transferred to DVD

1:30 min

 

 

momentos irrepetibles, 2000

video transferred to DVD

1:30 min

 

 

fuck you too (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

fuck you too (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

i am not an animal (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

i am not an animal (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

abi road (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

abi road (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

workoholic (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

workoholic (from the series la búsqueda del ombligo), 2005-2007

ink on paper on wood panel

82.68 x 70.87 x 1.38 in.

 

 

good days-bad days (para leónidas), 2010

metal and 12 tezontle stones

35.04 x 46.85 x 43.5 in.

 

 

good days-bad days (para leónidas), 2010

metal and 12 tezontle stones

35.04 x 46.85 x 43.5 in.

 

 

i.s., 2006

enamel and iron

set of two metallic structures, 83.46 x 271.65 x 107.48 in. each

 

 

i.s., 2006

enamel and iron

set of two metallic structures, 83.46 x 271.65 x 107.48 in. each

 

 

carnicería, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

carnicería, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

que poca mare, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

que poca mare, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

zona de guerra, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

zona de guerra, (from the series el gráfico), 2008

carbon paper and ink on paper

49 x 49 in.

 

 

jimmie, 2006

golden fantasy chains, fantasy earrings, plastic net and foam

112.2 x 14.7 in.

 

 

jimmie, 2006

golden fantasy chains, fantasy earrings, plastic net and foam

112.2 x 14.7 in.

 

 

exilio, 2006

acrylic on wall

1.05 x 3.82 x .1 in.

 

 

exilio, 2006

acrylic on wall

1.05 x 3.82 x .1 in.

 

 

useless beauty, 2006

painted iron, fantasy jewlery

35.43 x 19.69 x 19.69 in.

 

 

useless beauty, 2006

painted iron, fantasy jewlery

35.43 x 19.69 x 19.69 in.

 

 

used beauty, 2006

iron, fantasy jewlery

22.44 x 10.63 in.

 

 

used beauty, 2006

iron, fantasy jewlery

22.44 x 10.63 in.

 

 

untitled (don´t hurt a woman, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.76 in.

 

 

untitled (don´t hurt a woman, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.76 in.

 

 

untitled (some are born to the endless night, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in. 

 

 

untitled (some are born to the endless night, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in. 

 

 

untitled (what a wonderful world, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled (what a wonderful world, from the series sanson blind), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

p.p.p. retrato II (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. retrato II (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. levitation (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. levitation (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. crow (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

p.p.p. crow (from the series the world doesn't want me any more and doesn't know it), 2006

acrylic on wood

19.69 x 15.75 x .98 in.

 

 

el secreto del mal, 2008

hd video

16:36 min

 

 

el secreto del mal, 2008

hd video

16:36 min

 

 

untitled VIII, (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.64 in.

 

 

untitled VIII, (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.64 in.

 

 

untitled VII (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled VII (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

22.76 x 18.9 in.

 

 

untitled VI (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.83 in.

 

 

untitled VI (from the series impasse), 2009

chinese ink on paper

18.9 x 22.83 in.

 

 

untitled, from the series soup, cosmos and tears, 2011

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

untitled, from the series soup, cosmos and tears, 2011

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid I (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid I (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid II (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

soup, cosmos and tears vs. the detroit kid II (homenaje a mike kelley), 2012

charcoal, pencil and chinese ink on paper

47.64 x 47.64 in.

 

 

daniel guzmán - Artists - Kurimanzutto

notable exhibitions

His most important solo exhibitions include: The man who should be dead: Notes on the Dead House, the Fire and the Tale, kurimanzutto, New York, NY (2024); The man who should be dead: You must come in to get out, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2023); The man who should be dead. The Future Battle, Museo Cabañas, Guadalajara, Mexico (2022); Soup, Cosmos & Tears, Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro, Mexico (2017) and Museo Universitario del Chopo, Mexico City (2016); Daniel Guzmán: Chromosome Damage, Drawing Room, London (2015); Daniel Guzmán: Materia Oscura, MAZ- Museo de Arte de Zapopan and MACO Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca, Mexico (2011); Double Album: Daniel Guzmán and Steven Shearer, New Museum, New York and Museo Universitario de Ciencias y Arte (MUCA), Mexico City (2008). 

His work has been included in group exhibitions such as: Copy Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines, Brooklyn Museum, New York (2023); Excepciones normales: Arte contemporáneo en México, Museo Jumex, Mexico City (2021); El tiempo en las cosas II. Salas de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2021); Jalisco: diálogos cruzados, Museo Cabañas, Guadalajara, Mexico (2020); Nacido en casa. Devenires y porvenires del oficio de la tapicería Alto Liso en Jalisco, 1968–2018, Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2018); Saber Acomodar, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, United States (2017); Between Words and Silence: Meaning, Understanding, and the Work of Translation, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, United States (2017); Strange Currencies: Art & Action in Mexico City 1990-2000, The Galleries at Moore, Philadelphia, United States (2015); El hombre al desnudo, Museo Nacional de Arte MUNAL, Guadalajara, Mexico (2014); México Inside Out: Themes in Art Since 1990, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, United States (2013); Arqueológica, Matadero Madrid Contemporary Art Center (2013); Diference on Display, Niet Normaal Foundation, Amsterdam and MUPO- Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños, Oaxaca, Mexico (2011); El horizonte del topo | The Mole's Horizon, BOZAR - Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels (2010); Where Do We Go From Here? The Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, United States (2009); Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967. MCA- The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, United States (2007); Playback. Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris (2007), among many others.

He has also  participated in the following festivals and biennials: 55th Carnegie International, Pittsburgh, United States (2009); 5th Berlin Biennial (2008); 35th International Film Festival Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2006); 9.  İstanbul Bienali, Turkey (2005); 50th Venice Biennial (2003); and 4th Gwangju Biennale, South Korea (2002).