Marcos Guardiola Martín (Madrid, 1977), better known by the pseudonym MaGuMa, is an architect and designer-draftsman by passion, starting with illustrations and collaborator of El País.

After that, he has collaborated with a large number of magazines and newspapers (El País, Planadviser, Forbes, Reader’s Digest, Courrier International, Inside Housing, El malpensante, El Español, Yorokobu, Diagonal Periódico, El Ciervo, Panenka, Bostezo, M21 Magazine…), designed posters, published photo albums, painted murals, animated workshops, conferences and won some competitions.

He works for a growing number of international publications and brands. Inspired by artists such as Moebius and Milo Manara, as well as old adult comics such as Metal Hurlant and El Vivora.

A multidisciplinary, exploratory, multifaceted and versatile artist, trained at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura in Madrid and the UNAM in Mexico. With a good command and control of his drawing, Maguma allows himself to wander in a wide thematic landscape. Technically, there is a search for understanding colour, sometimes in the minimum, sometimes in the mixture that results from its transparency capabilities, the final finish is digital but appears to be handmade, similar to printing with solid colours. Maguma finds in illustration an authentic edification of his ideas, he continues to explore ways of approaching all audiences, taking care of the message, without censorship, but without losing elegance.

“The images speak. They tell us things directly. Without beating around the bush. To communicate with images is to bring objects together. To take them out of their context. And so, to create a visual cocktail that provokes the fascination of having found a treasure”.

His work – with Picasso’s maxim “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working” – unfolds in different creative areas: architecture, video or web design. Music, ceramics and the circus are some of the disciplines that inspire his work and contribute to the transfer of his ideas to paper.

He loves to travel the world bringing his travel books, his climbing gear and, if he can, his bike.

“I like to use colors, textures and despite working with digital media, my work is acquiring an increasing handmade look.”

His books, for children and adults, have been published by Fondo de Cultura Económica, Editorial Milrazones, Editorial Limonero, A buen paso, Editorial Amanuta, Gallucci Editore, Boitempo, Tara Books and Libros del Zorro Rojo.

Awards and mentions:

– Selected in the catalogue of illustrators of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2022.
– Winner of the 2019 Babalunga International Competition promoted by the Babakamo Festival.
– Selected in the catalogue “Latin American Illustration” for four consecutive years (from 2016 to 2019).
– Nami Concours 2019, in the Green Island category.
– In 2019 his book “Un día de tormenta” won the White Raven Award at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
– APIM Award 2019
– In 2017 he received a Special Mention in the Iberoamérica Ilustra 8 Catalogue.
– In 2017, his book “La povo viejecita” was selected for the Bratislava Biennial.
– In 2016 he received the Colibrí Medal for best illustrator for the book “La povo viejecita“.
– In 2014 he was selected for the V Ibero-American Catalogue of Illustration.
– In 2013, his illustrated album “El sueño de Pandora” received a Special Mention in the IV Compostela International Prize.

If you want to know more about his work you can visit: Official Web | Instagram | Facebook