ZÉLIKA GARCÍA
Founder of Mexico Art Fair ZSONAMACO
arts INTERVIEW
Congratulations on celebrating the 20th anniversary of ZSONAMACO last year! What was your inspiration behind creating the art fair Muestra in Monterrey, which later became ZSONAMACO in Mexico City?
ZG: Muestra came from a real need I saw in the Mexican art scene—there wasn’t a professional space where galleries, artists, and collectors could connect meaningfully. At the time, Mexico lacked a fair that encouraged collecting or supported the contemporary art market in a solid way. Moving the fair to Mexico City and evolving into ZSONAMACO was a natural next step, placing it in a more internationally connected context.
Mexico City has always been a cultural and cosmopolitan destination, but today it’s one of the global hotspots for food, fashion, and art scenes. What would you attribute this to?
ZG: Mexico City has long been a hub for cultural diversity, but recently, a wave of exceptional projects across art, design, and gastronomy has caught international eyes. The city’s creative energy is grounded in its strong local identity, and that authenticity, combined with institutional strength and an active independent scene, has created a moment of global attention that feels earned.
When organizing ZSONAMACO each year, how do you select the artists and galleries that participate?
ZG: The selection process is carried out through an international committee made up of art professionals who carefully review and evaluate each application. We look for proposals with a solid curatorial approach, high-quality work, and a trajectory that adds value to the fair. It’s important to strike a balance between established galleries and emerging projects, as well as to ensure international representation that engages with the Latin American art scene. In addition to the main selection committee, we appoint different curators for other sections of the fair—rotating every two to three years—to bring a fresh vision and continually renew the perspective of each curated section.
In your opinion, how has the perception of women in Mexico, particularly in the art world, changed in recent years?
ZG: We’ve definitely seen progress—more women are leading institutions, curating exhibitions, and building platforms across the arts. There's broader recognition of their contributions, both in artistic creation and cultural leadership. But there’s still work ahead to ensure that representation turns into sustained structural change.
Who are the rising stars of the art world in Mexico?
ZG: A number of young artists are gaining recognition both nationally and internationally, including Romeo Gómez López, Chantal Peñalosa, Josué Mejía, Rodrigo Ramírez Rodríguez, María Sosa, and Paloma Contreras Lomas. Working across diverse media and contemporary themes, each has developed a distinct and consistent body of work.
You are an artist yourself. Do you still find time to create art, and do you enjoy it?
ZG: Right now, my focus is fully on ZSONAMACO—its different editions including MÉXICO ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO, FOTO, DISEÑO, DISEÑO EMERGENTE, SALÓN DEL ANTICUARIO, ARTE MODERNO—and on ABC Art Baja and other professional projects. I studied art and created work in the past, but today I’m fully immersed in supporting other artists and building platforms for them to thrive.
Who do you collect personally? Who would be a dream artist to include in your collection?
ZG: Since my college years, I’ve been collecting works by contemporary artists whose careers I deeply respect and follow closely—mainly from Mexico and Latin America. Many of them I know personally and admire. I also love acquiring antiques, design pieces, and other collectibles. As for a single piece I’d like to have, it’s impossible to choose—I'm constantly falling in love with different artworks and objects every day.
What are some of your favorite art fairs and spaces around the world?
ZG: I always look forward to fairs like Art Basel—whether in Switzerland, Miami, or Hong Kong— as well as TEFAF and ARCO Madrid. I’m also drawn to more experimental and independent spaces that showcase emerging artists and design. When traveling, I seek out artist studios, offbeat project spaces, and alternative venues that push boundaries and allow for experimentation.
What are some of your favorite places in Mexico City to eat, shop, and see art?
ZG: For dining, I love places like Rosetta, Máximo Bistrot, Ultramarinos Demar, Los Panchos, and Contramar—they’re always a great experience. For design and shopping, LagoAlgo and Onora Casa are among my go-tos. In terms of art, I always recommend the Tamayo Museum, MUAC, Museo Jumex, Museo de Antropología, Bellas Artes, Casa Azul, and Casa Barragán. They each offer a different window into the artistic and cultural landscape of the city.
What is your vision for the future of ZSONAMACO?
ZG: We’re focused on continuing to build ZSONAMACO as the leading platform for art in Latin America. That means prioritizing quality over quantity, fostering new collectors, and creating spaces for deep dialogue among artists, galleries, and audiences. We’re also expanding our digital presence, supporting initiatives that respond to the current challenges in the art world, and growing projects like ABC Art Baja bringing art to new contexts and communities.