Mónica Sarmiento Castillo was born in Loja, Ecuador. She studied at the La Porciúncula School, and in 1988, she entered the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, where she would later receive her Bachelor’s degree in Painting and Design. She completed her artistic training with a doctorate at the Complutense University of Madrid. Her first exhibition took place in 1988 at the Casa de La Cultura Benjamín Carrión in Loja. During her years of study, she worked at the National University of Loja in the art department, where she met the dimensionalist master Estuardo Maldonado, who invited her to join his team of assistants. From then on, they began working together on projects aimed at promoting Ecuadorian cultural heritage. In 1998, they were invited to Europe for an exhibition of Ecuadorian art at the Casa de América in Madrid, where she met prominent figures from the art world, including the art critic Luis González Robles, who invited her to participate in his exhibitions. Later, her work would be included in the collection of his museum at the University of Alcalá, Spain. That same year, through her connection with the art critic, she met her dealer and representative Vicente Alcaraz, focusing on the promotion of Ibero-American art.

In 2012, the Supreme Court of Spain celebrated its Bicentennial by naming the most outstanding artists from Ibero-American countries, among them the Ecuadorian artist, who is considered one of the most prominent female artists from Ecuador. This recognition was awarded to her by the Carlos III Foundation of Spain.

Her philosophy is based on the integration of “Great Latin America,” united by a common language, pre-Columbian culture, which forms the foundation of her roots and serves as the source of inspiration for her works. She currently lives between the United States and Spain.