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 drawing and painting at the Professional School of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.

In Eclosión del Impulso, José Manuel Mayo builds a work of great emotional intensity where color and gesture become the primary language. The painting unfolds as a field of forces in tension: overlapping layers of oil, energetic brushstrokes, and chromatic contrasts that oscillate between visceral and 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 spaces. This alternation generates a dynamic, almost rhythmic composition, where each stroke preserves the imprint of the artist’s body and the time of execution. The oil, worked with decisiveness and freedom, evidences a mature pictorial practice, aware of the expressive weight of gesture.

The work refers to contemporary expressive abstraction in which the painting does not represent, but rather happens. Mayo does not seek to order chaos, but to reveal it as vital energy: a painting that is felt before it is understood, that addresses 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 impact, 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 (A.H.S.)
- Member of the Unión de escritores y artistas (UNEAC)
- Has served as a specialist and curator in the Fayad Jamis and Guernica galleries in Las Tunas
- Began teaching in 2001 as drawing instructor.
- Currently an independent artist and professor at the Academy of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.
- Member of the Cátedra Martiana.

Collective Exhibitions and Events

· 2024

· 2023 Here We Are. Collective Exhibition. Fayad Jamis Gallery. Fbc. Las Tunas. December.

2023 Small Form Sculpture Salon. José Antonio Díaz Peláez. Las Tunas. CPAP. CODEMA., Las Tunas. Gallery, Center for Development of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. November.

2023 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.

2023 Collective Expo. When I Came Into This World. Gallery. La Jungla of Nicolás Guillén Foundation. Las Tunas. September.

2023 Salon. Plastic in April. Provincial Art Gallery Council Las Tunas. April

2022 1st Abstract Art Salon Díaz Peláez. Belkis Ayón Gallery. Vedado. Havana. September.

2022 Group Exhibition. Target Practice. 61st Anniversary. UNEAC Headquarters Gallery. August.

2022 Mayo Abstracto. Virtual Collective Exhibition. V Taller de pintura abstracta. La Cruzada. UNEAC. Las Tunas. May.

2022 Collective Exhibition. Center for Development of Visual Arts. Las Tunas. Result of the 5th Abstract Art Workshop. Project La Cruzada. May.

2022 V Mayo Abstracto Workshop La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May

2022 Solo tú y la luna. Collective Exhibition. Nicolás Guillén Foundation. Gallery. La Jungla. Las Tunas. April.

2022 The Freedom of Space. Virtual Collective Exhibition of Abstract Art. Belkis Ayón Gallery. Vedado Havana. February-March.

2022 Return to 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 Homage 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 Exhibition Mujer- Luz. Decimarte. Gallery From a Deep Outlook. Las Tunas. March.

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

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

2019 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas. Homage to Cuban Culture Day. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.

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

2019 Abstract Confluence. Collective Exhibition. IV Abstract Art Workshop. Project La Cruzada. Provincial Art Gallery Las Tunas. May–June.

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

2018 Collective Ømosis II. AHS. Youth Creators Project. Guernica Gallery. Las Tunas. November–December.

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

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

2018 Collective Exhibition. Ósmosis. Youth Creators Project. Guernica Gallery. AHS. August–September. Las Tunas.

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

2018 Abstract Art (Mayo Abstracto) Project La Cruzada. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Collective Exhibition. Las Tunas.

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

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

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

2018 Abstract Art Salon. Expressive Abstracts. Project La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. March. Las Tunas.

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

2017 Winter Salon, Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.

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

2017 Homage, UNEAC Gallery, Las Tunas.

2017 Cuban contemporary artists, Rocca Aldobrandesca-Piacastagnaio.Italia

2017 Imán project La Cruzada, National Theatre Gallery of Cuba. La Habana.

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

2016 Abstract Regenerations. Art Center. Las Tunas.

2016 Cuba pearl of the Caribbean. Rocca Medieval Passignano. Italy.

2016 Tuna BravE 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 is Cuba. Citta’ d’ La pieve Umbría Italy

2014 Collective Exhibition 100 Abstract Painters. Alba Cultural House. Havana

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

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

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

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

2011 Strictly Collective. Show for the 50th Anniversary of UNEAC. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.

2011 Cuban Tribute. Provincial Museum. Las Tunas.

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

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

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

2009 Summer Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With the slight grace of the nudes). UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2008 I Eastern 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 Cuba Art Exhibition, Valencia, Spain.

2007 Cuban Art Exhibition, Italy.

2007 Drammen and Cuba Exhibition, Drammen Theatre Norway.

2007 I Erotic Art Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.

2007 COLLECTIVE exhibition of abstract art LA CRUZADA, part of Cultural Huellas project.

2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.

2006 Exhibition of Tuner artists in Germany.

2006 Collective Exhibition for UNEAC entry “UNEAC de Las Tunas.”

2006 Collective Exhibition Mi Ciudad for the city’s 210th anniversary Las Tunas.

2006 Art World Fund Exhibition Fayad Jamís Gallery.
2006 Collective Exhibition of UNEAC members in celebration of Culture Week in Las Tunas.
2006 UNEAC Salon of Las Tunas.

2006 Collective exhibition of abstract art, Havana.
2006 Fourth Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” Holguín Art Center
2006 2005 Awards Salon
2006 Third Abstract Art Event ‘La Cruzada’ UNEAC Guantánamo
2006 I Abstract Art Workshop ‘Espíritu Abstracto’ Sancti Spíritus
2005 Miniature Salon.
2005 Salon “Plastic in April.”
2005 I Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Manzanillo).
2005 Tuner Plastic Show.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Las Tunas).
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 2003 Awarded Salon.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila”.
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez”.
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 “Fayad Jamís” Salon.
2001 Plastic Arts Salon in April (Provincial culture prize).
2000 Youth Salon of the City “Guernica”.
2000 XVII Salon “Plastic in April”.
2000 Retrospective of Tunera plastic arts.
2000 Sculpture Source Project. (Group A.S).
2000 Four sculptures for “Villa Covarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Awarded by AHS”.
1999 Winners Salon.
1999 Youth Salon of the city “Guernica”.
1999 XVI the 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 Youth Stamps Salon.
1998 A.H.S exhibits “Convinient Space”.
1998 Youth Salon of the city “Guernica”.
1998 V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 VIII Salon José Martínez Ochoa.
1997 VII José Martínez Ochoa.
1997 National Salon tenth mural, Las Tunas.
1995 Show of 12 Students from the Professional School of Plastic Arts.
1994-1995 Salon February 14.
1993 The students of the Professional School of Plastic Arts exhibit.

Awards and Honors

2011 Prize, Salon “Plastic in April” Las Tunas.
2005 II Prize UNEAC Salon.
2003 III Prize Salon “Carlos Enríquez”
2001 Plastic Arts Salon in April (Provincial culture prize).
2000 Special Mention, Sculpture Source Project. (Group A.S).
2000 Prize, Four sculptures for “Villa Cobarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 Prize X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Awarded by AHS”.
1998 Prize Youth Salon of the city “Guernica”.
1998 Mention, V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 Prize VIII Salon José Martines Ochoa.
1997 Mention, VII José Martínez Ochoa.

Solo and Biographical Exhibitions

2017 Miniatures. Constitution Museum. Guáimaro. Camaguey.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Notes of the Citizens” with Vladimir Santiago. UNAAIC, Las Tunas.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Common Differences II” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Puerto Padre Gallery
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 Dalila”.
1997 Personal Exhibition “Friezes of Life”.
1997 Exhibition “Pages” ISPJAE, Havana.
1997 Personal Exhibition at Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the Retoños del cucalambé workshop 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 Creator along with plastic artist Yamila Comas Vargas in a ceramic mural for the municipality of Jobabo, Las Tunas.
2013 Conference on the first abstract art workshop. UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2013 His work is part of the collection at MarimbartGallery gallery in Quebec, Canada
2013 Serves as a juror in selecting works for the Escaramujo salon of the José Martí brigade.
2011 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2004 Participates as Creator with Yamila Comas Vargas in a pictorial mural at the Primary School “Toma de Las Tunas”, Municipality of Las Tunas.
2003 Participates as creator with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures at the Primary School “Marcelo Salado”, Municipality Colombia.
2002 Participates as creator with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in three pictorial murals at the Primary School “Jesús Argüelles”, Municipality Tunas.
2001 Jury member at the municipal salon “Carlos Enríquez” in Amancio Rodríguez
1999 Interview for the program “Quehacer” Tunas visión
1999 Serves as juror in the 9th José Martínez Ochoa Salon
1998 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
She has illustrated poems and décimas for several writers from Las Tunas; the works have been published by the Sanlope publishing house in Las Tunas
- 2000 “Cánticas de escarnio” by Osmani Eduardo
- 2000 “Sombras” by Frank Castel
- 1998 “La piedad se llama Dalila” by Julio A Molinet
Her work is in private collections in Cuba, USA, Spain, Norway, Italy, England, Puerto Rico, and France.