Jose Manuel Mayo Peña - Eclosión del Impulso XL

JOSE MANUEL MAYO PEÑA

- Born in Las Tunas, Las Tunas Province, Cuba (1976)
- Graduated in 1997 in the drawing and painting specialty at the School of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.

In Eclosión del Impulso, José Manuel Mayo builds a body of work of great emotional intensity where color and gesture become primary language. The painting unfolds like a field of forces in tension: overlapping layers of oil, energetic brushstrokes, and chromatic contrasts that oscillate between the visceral and the luminous. There is no explicit figuration; the image is articulated from movement, friction, and matter.

The reds, fuchsias, and yellows erupt with volcanic character, dialoguing with blues and greens that are more restrained and act as visual breathing zones. This alternation generates a dynamic, almost rhythmic composition, where every stroke preserves the imprint of the artist’s body and the time of execution. The oil, worked with determination and freedom, evidences a mature painting practice, conscious of the expressive weight of gesture.

The work refers to a contemporary expressive abstraction in which the painting does not represent, but occurs. Mayo does not seek to order chaos, but to reveal it as vital energy: a painting that is felt before it is understood, that speaks to the viewer on a sensory and emotional level. The canvas thus functions as a space of catharsis, where painting asserts its autonomy as object and experience.

For its immediate visual force, material richness, and expressive coherence, Eclosión del Impulso is a piece especially attractive to collectors of contemporary abstraction and gestural painting. A work with presence, capable of transforming space and sustaining an intense and lasting reading within a private collection.

- Member of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (AHS)
- Member of the Unión de escritores y artistas (UNEAC)
- He has served as specialist and curator at Fayad Jamis and Guernica galleries in Las Tunas
- Joined artistic teaching in 2001 as a drawing teacher.
- Currently an independent artist and professor at the Academy of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.
- Member of the Martian Chair.

Collective Exhibitions and Events

2024
- 2023 Here We Are. Collective Exhibition. Fayad Jamis Gallery. Fbc. Las Tunas. December.
- 2023 Small Format Sculpture Salon. José Antonio Díaz Peláez. Las Tunas. CPAP. CODEMA., Las Tunas. Gallery, Center for the Development of Plastics Arts. Las Tunas. November.
- 2023 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
- 2023 Collective Expo. When I Came into This World. Gallery. The Jungle of the Nicolás Guillen Foundation. Las Tunas. September.
- 2023 Salon. The Plastic Arts in April. Provincial Gallery of Plastic Arts Las Tunas. April
- 2022 1st Abstract Art Salon Díaz Peláez. Belkis Ayón Gallery. Vedado. Havana. September.
- 2022 Collective Exhibition. Shooting the Target. 61st Anniversary. UNEAC Headquarters Gallery. August.
- 2022 Mayo Abstracto. Collective Virtual Exhibition. V Taller de pintura abstracta. La Cruzada. UNEAC. Las Tunas. May.
- 2022 Collective Exhibition. Center for the Development of Visual Arts. Las Tunas. Result of the 5th Abstract Art Workshop. Project La Cruzada. May.
- 2022 Mayo Abstracto V Workshop The Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May
- 2022 Solo you and the Moon. Collective Exhibition. Nicolás Guillen Foundation. Jungle Gallery. Las Tunas. April.
- 2022 The Freedom of Space. Collective Virtual Exhibition of Abstract Art. Belkis Ayón Gallery. Vedado Havana. February–March.
- 2022 Return Light. Homage to the Master. Collective Exhibition. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. January
- 2021 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. November.

2021 Collective Expo All the Hands. National Culture Day. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. October–November.

2021 Collective Exhibition of Cuban Painters In Tribute to Pedro de Oraá. Mayo Abstracto. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May.

2020 UNEAC Salon 2020. For Cuban Culture Day. Provincial Gallery of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. October.

2020 Collective Expo Woman—Light. Decimarte. Gallery From a Deep Lookout. Las Tunas. March.

2020 Erotic Art Salon. UNEAC Gallery Las Tunas. February.

2020 Collective Exhibition Light in the Soul. 167th Anniversary of José Martí’s Birth. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. January.

2019 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas. In tribute to Cuban culture day. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.

2019 National Meeting of Abstract Art. Iman IV. Collage Habana Gallery. August. Havana.

2019 Abstract Confluence. Collective Exhibition. IV Abstract Art Workshop. Project La Cruzada. Provincial gallery of Plastic Arts Las Tunas. May–June.

2019 Digital Art Salon. Dedicated to the 9th UNEAC Congress. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. April.

2018 Collective Exhibition Osmosis II. AHS. Young creators project. Guernica Gallery. Las Tunas. November–December.

2018 National Exhibition of Abstract Art. Iman 3. Fausto Cristo Hall. UNEAC. Holguín. November.

2018 UNEAC Salon. Flashes of Identity. Las Tunas. UNEAC Gallery. October.

2018 Collective Exhibition. Osmosis. Young creators project. Guernica Gallery. AHS. August–September. Las Tunas.

2018 Abstract Art. National Salon. Collective Exhibition. Gestural Sugerencias. La Confronta Gallery. UNEAC Provincial Committee. Santiago de Cuba. May.

2018 Abstract Art (May Abstract) Project La Cruzada. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Collective Expo. Las Tunas.

2018 The Plastic Arts in April Salon. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts Las Tunas.

2018 Digital Art Salon. Dedicated to the 30th edition of the Provincial The Plastic Arts in April Salon. UNEAC Gallery. April. Las Tunas.

2018 Collective Exhibition. Abstracts at Home. Project: “La Cruzada.” March–April. Las Tunas.

2018 Abstract Art Salon. Gestural Expressions. Project La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. March. Las Tunas.

2018 About the Purple. Erotic Art Salon. UNEAC Provincial Committee Gallery. February–March. Las Tunas.

2017 Winter Salon, Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.

2017 Iman II project La Cruzada, Lario Gallery, Camagüey.

2017 Tribute, UNEAC Gallery, Las Tunas.

2017 Contemporary Cuban Artists, Rocca Aldobrandesca-Piacastagnaio, Italy

2017 Iman project La Cruzada, National Theatre Gallery of Cuba. Havana.

2016 Collective Exhibition Abstract Painters Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.

2016 Abstract Regenerations. Art Center Las Tunas.

2016 Cuba, Caribbean Pearl. Rocca Medieval Passignano. Italy.

2016 Tuna Brava Collective Exhibition Guernica Gallery Las Tunas.

2016 30th Anniversary Salon. Guernica Gallery Las Tunas.

2016 Immersion III xilography. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.

2015 Cuba how lovely Cuba is. Citta’ di La Pieve Umbria Italy

2014 Collective Exhibition 100 Abstract Painters. House of Culture of the Alba. Havana

2014 Collective Exhibition A Color for Clemen Greember Project LA CRUZADA. UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2014 Collective Exhibition for the 45th anniversary of artistic education in Las Tunas. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas

2013 Collective Painting Exhibition LA CRUZADA. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.

2012 April Plastic Arts Salon. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.

2011 Strictly Collective. Exhibition for UNEAC’s 50th Anniversary. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.

2011 Cuban Tribute. Provincial Museum. Las Tunas.

2011 Expo “4x4” Jungle Gallery, Huellas Cultural Center, Las Tunas.

2011 Retrospective Graduates of the Las Tunas Art School, Tunas Theatre

2010 II Oriente Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.

2009 Summer UNEAC Salon, Las Tunas.

2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With a Gentle Graciousness of Nudity). UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2008 I Oriente Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.

2008 Collective Photography Exhibition (SOBRE-EXPOSICIÓN). UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2008 I Photography Event, UNEAC, Pto. Padre, Las Tunas.

2007 Ceramics Event, Cover Design. Las Tunas.

2007 Expo Arte Cuba, Valencia, Spain.

2007 Expo Cuban Art, Italy.

2007 Expo Drammen and Cuba, Drammen Theater Norway.

2007 I Erotic Art Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2007 Collective Art Exhibition LA CRUZADA, ceded from the Cultural Huellas project.

2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.

2006 Exhibition of Tunera artists in Germany.

2006 Collective Expo for UNEAC admission, UNEAC Las Tunas.

2006 Collective Expo Mi Ciudad for the 210th anniversary of Las Tunas.

2006 Expo Artists of the Cultural Heritage Fund, Fayad Jamís Gallery.

2006 Collective Expo UNEAC members on Culture Week in Las Tunas.

2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.

2006 Collective Abstract Art Exhibition, Havana.

2006 Fourth Abstract Art Event La Cruzada, Art Center in Holguín
2006 Awards Salon of 2005
2006 Third Abstract Art Event ‘La Cruzada’ UNEAC Guantánamo
2006 I Abstract Art Workshop ‘Espíritu Abstracto’ Sancti Spíritus
2005 Miniature Salon.
2005 The Plastic in April Salon.
2005 I Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Manzanillo).
2005 Tunera Plastic Show.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Las Tunas).
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 Salon of Awards of 2003.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila”.
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez”.
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 Fayad Jamis Salon.
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Provincial Culture Award).
2000 Young City Salon “Guernica”.
2000 XVII Salon “Plastic in April”.
2000 Retrospective of Tunera plastic.
2000 Sculpture Source Project. (Group A.S).
2000 Four sculptures for “Villa Covarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Awarded by AHS”.
1999 Awarded Salon.
1999 Young City Salon “Guernica”.
1999 XVI Plastic in April.
1999 Tuners exhibit in Moa.
1999 Ecological Art Event.
1998 XV Plastic in April Salon.
1998 Tenth Mural Salon.
1998 Tunera Plastic.
1998 Young Print Studio Salon.
1998 AHS exhibits “Convenient Space”.
1998 Young City Salon “Guernica”.
1998 V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 VIII Salon José Martines Ochoa.
1997 VII José Martines Ochoa.
1997 National Salon of the Tenth Mural, Las Tunas.
1995 Show of 12 Students from the School of Plastic Arts.
1994–1995 Salon February 14.
1993 Expose the students of the School of Plastic Arts.

Awards and Honors

2011 Award, Salon “The Plastic in April” Las Tunas.
2005 Second Prize, UNEAC Salon.
2003 Third Prize, Salon “Carlos Enríquez”
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Provincial Culture Award).
2000 Special Mention, Sculpture Source Project. (Group A.S).
2000 Prize, Four Sculptures for “Villa Cobarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Awarded by AHS”.
1998 Prize, Young City Salon “Guernica”.
1998 Mention, V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 Prize, VIII Salon José Martines Ochoa.
1997 Mention, VII José Martines Ochoa.

Personal and Biographical Exhibitions

2017 Miniatures. Museum of the Constitution. Guáimaro, Camagüey.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “City Notes” with Vladimir Santiago. UNAAIC, Las Tunas.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Common Differences II” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Puerta Padre Gallery, Puerto Padre.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Common Differences” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Hotel Inglaterra, Havana.
2006 Personal Exhibition ‘Intimate Inequality’ (Guest Artist: Yoángel Batista)
2005 Tripersonal Exhibition “=3” (with Yamila Coma and Helier Batista).
2000 Bipersonal Exhibition “We are not responsible” with Leosvanis Mayo.
1998 Bipersonal Exhibition (Mundos) with Ángel Peña.
1998 Personal Exhibition “Piety is Called Delilah.”
1997 Personal Exhibition “Friezes of Life.”
1997 Personal Exhibition “Pages” ISPJAE, Havana.
1997 Personal Exhibition at the Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the Creche workshop at the cucalambé at the Mártires del 28 de diciembre school
2015 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2015 Interview for Tunas Visión Cultural News.
2015 Participates as Realizer together with visual artist Yamila Comas Vargas in a ceramic mural for the municipality of Jobabo, Las Tunas.
2013 Lecture for the first abstract art workshop. UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2013 His work is part of the collection at marimbartgallery Quebec, Canada
2013 Serves as jury in selecting works for the Escaramujo Salon of the José Martí Brigade.
2011 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2004 Serves as Realizer together with Yamila Comas Vargas in a painted mural at the Toma de Las Tunas Primary School, municipality Tunas.
2003 Serves as creator together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures at Marcelo Salado Elementary School, municipality Colombia.
2002 Serves as creator together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in three painted murals at Jesús Argüelles Elementary School, municipality Tunas.
2001 Jury member in the municipal salon “Carlos Enríquez” in Amancio Rodríguez
1999 Interview for the program “Quehacer” Tunas vision
1999 Serves as jury in the 9th José Martines Ochoa Salon
1998 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
He has illustrated poems and décimas for several writers from Las Tunas, works published by the Sanlope Press Las Tunas
- 2000 “Cánticas de escarnio” by Osmani Eduardo
- 2000 “Sombras” by Frank Castel
- 1998 “La piedad se llama Dalila” by Julio A Molinet
His work is in private collections in Cuba, USA, Spain, Norway, Italy, England, Puerto Rico, and France.