Ariel Guzmán Ayala was born in Mexico City in 1954. He graduated with a degree in Plastic Arts from the National School of Painting “La Esmeralda” in 1975. Later, he received courses in Pedagogy of the Plastic Arts (CEDART) taught by the INBA. (1977). He also graduated in Graphic Design (specializing in experimental photography and 16 mm animated film) at the University of Hessen, Germany, in 1983.

He was a SEP-INBA scholarship recipient in Architectural, Environmental and Furniture Design at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1985. 1st place in Engraving, Annual Competition of the “San Marcos” Fair. Aguascalientes, Mex.,1975; He has 2 honorable mentions in poster design (Germany, 1980-81); 2nd place in drawing at the Yucatán Visual Arts Biennial (1989); 2nd place in Painting at the Yucatán Visual Arts Biennial (1995).

Two of his animated films have been presented at International Film Festivals (Annecy, France and Uppsala, Sweden). He has held 45 individual and 75 group exhibitions in Mexico, Germany, Spain, the United States, Sweden and Cuba. He has also taught painting, design and photography classes at various institutions, universities and art schools.