Jose Manuel Mayo Peña - Umbral de Inmersión

In this work, José Manuel Mayo proposes an intimate, contemporary approach to the expanded self-portrait, where the figure is not only observed but also establishes a direct relationship with the viewer. The composition, built from a frontal and slightly distorted perspective, recalls the visual language of autofotography, yet is elevated here through a rigorous painting treatment and a sophisticated understanding of underwater light.

The face, partially hidden behind the diving mask, functions as the psychological nucleus of the piece. The gaze, filtered through the glass and the undulations of the surface, acquires an introspective quality that contrasts with the gestural openness of the arms, extended toward the spectator as an invitation or capture of the moment.

The real protagonism lies in the light interaction: the underwater refractions unfold across the skin in fragmented patterns that vibrate between the descriptive and the abstract. Mayo achieves here a complex balance between technical control and visual spontaneity, where each stroke suggests the constant movement of water without losing structural solidity.

The upper surface, with its distorted reflections, introduces a second reality that dialogues with the submerged figure, establishing an ambiguous boundary between two worlds: air and water, consciousness and immediate sensory experience. This “threshold” becomes the conceptual axis of the work.

“Threshold of Immersion” is a piece of notable contemporaneity, which connects with current visual culture without sacrificing painting depth. Its combination of refined technique, enveloping composition, and emotional charge positions it as a work highly attractive to collectors interested in contemporary figuration with an emphasis on perception, identity, and experience.

The work is carefully protected and shipped in a transport tube to ensure its optimal conservation.


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.
- Member of the Hermanos Saiz Association (A.H.S.)
- Member of the Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC)
- Has worked as a 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 Martiana Chair.

Exhibitions Collective 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 Plastic Arts Development. Las Tunas. November.
2023 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2023 Collective Expo. When I Came Into This World. Gallery. Nicolás Guillén Jungle. Las Tunas. September.
2023 Salon. 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. Target Practice. 61st Anniversary. UNEAC Headquarters Gallery. August.
2022 Mayo Abstract. Virtual Collective Exhibition. V Abstract Painting Workshop. La Cruzada. UNEAC. Las Tunas. May.
2022 Collective Exhibition. Center for Visual Arts Development. Las Tunas. Outcome of the 5th Abstract Art Workshop. Project la Cruzada. May.
2022 Mayo Abstract Workshop V The Cruzada Gallery UNEAC. Las Tunas. May
2022 Only You and the Moon. Collective Exhibition. Nicolás Guillén 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 Turn Back the Light. Tribute 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 Center Gallery of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. October.
2020 Collective Expo Woman-Light. Decimarte. Gallery From a Deep View. 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. Homage to Cuban Culture Day. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2019 National Meeting of Abstract Art. Imán IV. Colage Habana Gallery. August. Havana.
2019 Abstract Confluence. Collective Exhibition. IV Abstract Art Workshop. Project La Cruzada. Provincial Arts Gallery Las Tunas. May–June.
2019 Digital Art Salon. Dedicates 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. Imán 3. Fausto Cristo Hall. UNEAC. Holguín. November.
2018 UNEAC Salon. Glimmers 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 Suggestions. 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 Plastic Arts in April Salon. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. April.
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. Provincial UNEAC Gallery. February–March. Las Tunas.
2017 Winter Salon, Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.
2017 Imán II project La Cruzada, Lario Gallery, Camaguey.
2017 Homage, UNEAC Gallery, Las Tunas.
2017 Contemporary Cuban Artists, Rocca Aldobrandesca-Piacastagnaio. Italy
2017 Imán project La Cruzada, Teatro Nacional de Cuba Gallery. Havana.
2016 Collective Exhibition Abstract Painters Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.
2016 Abstract Regenerations. Art Center. Las Tunas.
2016 Cuba pearl of the Caribbean. Roca Medieval Passignano. Italy.
2016 Tuna Brava Collective Exhibition Guernica Gallery Las Tunas.
2016 30th Anniversary Salon. Guernica Gallery Las Tunas.
2016 Immersion III woodcut. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.
2015 Cuba how pretty 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 artistic teaching in Las Tunas. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas
2013 Collective Painting Exhibition abstractLA 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 50th Anniversary. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.
2011 Cuban Homage. Provincial Museum. Las Tunas.
2011 Expo “4x4” Jungle Gallery, Cultural Center Footprints, Las Tunas.
2011 Retrospective Graduates of the Las Tunas Art School, Tunas Theater
2010 II Oriente Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.
2009 Summer Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With a slight grace 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 Arte Cuba Expo, Valencia, Spain.
2007 Cuban Art Expo, Italy.
2007 Drammen and Cuba Expo, Drammen Theatre Norway.
2007 I Erotic Art Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2007 Collective Exhibition of Abstract Art LA CRUZADA, from the Cultural Project Huellas.
2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.
2006 Artist Exhibition from Las Tunas in Germany.
2006 Collective Expo for UNEAC entry “UNEAC of Las Tunas.”
2006 Collective Expo My City for the 210th anniversary of Las Tunas.
2006 Expo Artists of the Cultural Goods Fund Fayad Jamís Gallery.
2006 Collective Expo UNEAC members in celebration of Culture Week in Las Tunas.
2006 UNEAC Salon of Las Tunas.
2006 Collective Abstract Art, Havana.
2006 Fourth Abstract Art Event La Cruzada Holguín Art Center
2006 Prize Salon of 2005
2006 Third Abstract Art Event ‘La Cruzada’ UNEAC Guantánamo
2006 I Abstract Art Workshop ‘Abstract Spirit’ Sancti Spíritus
2005 Miniature Salon.
2005 April Plastic Arts Salon.
2005 I Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Manzanillo).
2005 Shows of Tuner Plastic.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Las Tunas).
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 Salon of 2003 Awardees.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila”.
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez”.
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 Fayad Jamís Salon.
2001 April Plastic Arts Salon (Provincial culture award).
2000 Youth City Salon “Guernica”.
2000 XVII April Plastic Arts Salon.
2000 Retrospective of Tunera plastic.
2000 Sculptural 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 Youth Salon “Guernica”.
1999 XVI April Plastic Arts.
1999 Tuners exhibit in Moa.
1999 Ecological Art Event.
1998 XV April Plastic Arts Salon.
1998 Tenth Mural Salon.
1998 Tunera Plastic.
1998 Youth Print Salon.
1998 A.H.S exhibits “Convenient Space”.
1998 Youth Salon “Guernica”.
1998 V Territorial José A. Díaz Peláez Salon.
1998 VIII José Martínes Ochoa Salon.
1997 VII José Martínes Ochoa Salon.
1997 National Salon tenth mural, Las Tunas.
1995 Show of 12 Students from the Professional School of Plastic Arts.
1994-1995 February 14 Salon.
1993 Students of the Professional School of Plastic Arts exhibited.

Awards and Mentions

2011 Prize Salon “Plastic Arts in April” Las Tunas.
2005 II UNEAC Salon Prize.
2003 III Prize Salon “Carlos Enríquez”
2001 April Plastic Arts Salon (Provincial culture award).
2000 Special Mention Sculptural 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 Youth Salon “Guernica”.
1998 Mention, V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 Prize VIII José Martines Ochoa Salon.
1997 Mention, VII José Martines Ochoa.

Personal and Biographical Exhibitions

2017 Miniatures. Museum of the Constitution. Guáimaro. Camagüey.
2006 Two-person Exhibition “City Notes” with Vladimir Santiago. UNAAIC, Las Tunas.
2006 Two-person Exhibition “Common Differences II” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Puerto Padre Gallery
2006 Two-person 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 artists).
2000 Two-person Exhibition “We Do Not Take Responsibility” with Leosvanis Mayo.
1998 Two-person Exhibition (Mundos) with Ángel Peña.
1998 Personal Exhibition “Piety is Called Delilah”.
1997 Personal Exhibition “Friezes of Life”.
1997 Personal Exhibition ISPJAE, Havana.
1997 Personal Exhibition at the Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the seedlings workshop of cucalambé at the Mártires del 28 de Diciembre school
2015 Radio Victoria interview, Las Tunas
2015 Tunas Vision Cultural News interview.
2015 Participates as Producer together with visual artist Yamila Comas Vargas in a ceramic mural for the municipality of Jobabo, Las Tunas.
2013 Lecture first abstract art workshop. UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2013 His work is part of the collection at marimbartgallery Quebec, Canada
2013 Acts 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 Producer with Yamila Comas Vargas in a pictorial mural at the Toma de Las Tunas Primary School, Tunas municipality.
2003 Participates as producer with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures at Marcelo Salado Primary School, Colombia municipality.
2002 Participates as producer with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in three pictorial murals at Jesús Argüelles Primary School, Las Tunas.
2001 Jury member at the municipal salon “Carlos Enríquez” in Amancio Rodríguez
1999 Interview for the program “Quehacer” Tunas Vision
1999 Jury member 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, with works published by the Las Tunas publisher “Sanlope.”
- 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 found in private collections in Cuba, USA, Spain, Norway, Italy, England, Puerto Rico and France.