Jose Manuel Mayo Peña - Fulgor en Combate 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 Professional School of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.

In Fulgor en Combate, José Manuel Mayo reasserts a painting of high emotional voltage where gesture, color, and material confront each other without concessions. The work unfolds as a field of chromatic collisions: incandescent reds, cutting whites, and deep greens emerge and retreat over a base of blues and ochers, building a dense, almost physical composition that grips the viewer from the first visual impact.

Oil on canvas is worked with decisiveness and freedom, leaving visible the imprint of the painting process. Each brushstroke preserves its own energy, as if the painting were the result of a struggle between opposing impulses: restraint and explosion, control and outburst. There is no literal narrative; the painting asserts itself as a sensory experience, where the internal movement of color defines the rhythm and depth.

Mayo is situated here within a contemporary expressive abstraction, in which the canvas functions as a space of emotional confrontation. The use of white as a luminous stroke acts as a visual and symbolic axis, opening zones of tension that structure the work and guide the gaze through the apparent chaos.

For its gestural intensity, chromatic richness, and material presence, Fulgor en Combate is a piece especially attractive to collectors of abstract and expressionist painting. A work with character, capable of dominating the exhibition space and offering multiple readings over time, consolidating as a solid acquisition within a contemporary collection.

- Member of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (AHS)
- Member of the Unión de Escritores y Artistas (UNEAC)
- Has served as specialist and curator at Fayad Jamis and Guernica galleries in Las Tunas
- Began teaching art in 2001 as a drawing professor.
- Currently an independent artist and professor at the Academy of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.
- Member of the Martiana Chair.

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 the Development of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. November.
2023 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2023 Collective Exhibition. When I came into this world. Gallery. The Jungle of the Nicolás Guillen Foundation. Las Tunas. September.
2023 Salon. The Plastic in April. Gallery Provincial Council 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 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 Workshop. V Taller Mayo Abstracto La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May
2022 Solo usted y la luna. Collective Exhibition. Nicolás Guillen Foundation. Gallery. The Jungle. Las Tunas. April.
2022 The Freedom of Space. Collective Virtual Exhibition of Abstract Art. Belkis Ayón Gallery. Vedado, Havana. February–March.
2022 Return to Light. Tribute to the master. Collective Exhibition. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. January
2021 UNEAC Salon. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. November.

2021 Collective Exhibition 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 Exhibition 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. Homage to Cuban culture day. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2019 National Meeting of Abstract Art. Imán IV. Collage Gallery Habana. 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. Youth Creators Project. Guernica Gallery. Las Tunas. November–December.
2018 National Exhibition of Abstract Art. Imán 3. Fausto Cristo Room. UNEAC. Holguín. November.
2018 UNEAC Salon. Moments of Identity. Las Tunas. UNEAC Gallery. October.
2018 Collective Exhibition. Osmosis. 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 The Plástica in April Salon. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. April.
2018 Digital Art Salon. Dedicated to the 30th edition of the Provincial La Plástica en Abril Salon. UNEAC Gallery. April. Las Tunas.
2018 Collective Exhibition. Abstracts at Home. Project: The Crusade. UNEAC Gallery. March–April. Las Tunas.
2018 Abstract Art Salon. Expressive Abstracts. Project La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. March. Las Tunas.
2018 On Purple. Erotic Art Salon. UNEAC provincial committee gallery. 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.Italy
2017 Imán project La Cruzada, Theatre National Gallery of Cuba. Havana.
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 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 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 education in Las Tunas. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas
2013 Collective Exhibition of painting abstract “LA CRUZADA”. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.
2012 Salon The Plastic in April. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas.
2011 Strictly Collective. Exhibition for the 50th Anniversary of UNEAC. 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 School of Art, Tunas Theater
2010 II Oriental Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.
2009 Summer UNEAC Salon, Las Tunas.
2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With a mild grace of nudes). UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2008 I Oriental Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.
2008 Collective photography exhibition (SOBRE-EXPOSICIÓN). UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2008 Photo event, UNEAC, Pto. Padre, Las Tunas.
2007 Ceramics event, deck design. Las Tunas.
2007 Art Cuba Exhibition, Valencia, Spain.
2007 Cuban Art Exhibition, Italy.
2007 Drammen and Cuba Exhibition, Drammen Theater Norway.
2007 I Erotic Art Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2007 Collective exhibition of abstract art “LA CRUZADA” under the cultural Huellas.
2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.
2006 Exhibition of Tuner artists in Germany.
2006 Collective Expo for UNEAC admission “UNEAC of Las Tunas”.
2006 Collective Expo “My City” for the city’s 210th anniversary.
2006 Expo “Artists of the Cultural Goods Fund” Fayad Jamis Gallery.
2006 Collective Expo of UNEAC members in celebration of Culture Week in Las Tunas.
2006 UNEAC Salon of Las Tunas.

2006 Collective Expo of 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 Miniatures Salon.
2005 Salon “Plastic in April”.
2005 I Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Manzanillo).
2005 Tunera Plastics Show.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” (UNEAC Las Tunas).
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 Prize Salon of 2003.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila”.
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez”.
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 Fayad Jamis Salon.
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Award granted by provincial culture).
2000 City Youth Salon “Guernica”.
2000 XVII Salon “Plastic in April”.
2000 Retrospective of Tunera plastic.
2000 Sculptural Fountain Project. (Group A.S)
2000 Four sculptures for “Villa Covarrubias” (Group A.S)
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Granted by AHS”.
1999 Prize Salon.
1999 Youth Salon of the city “Guernica”.
1999 XVI Salon Plastic in April.
1999 Tuners exhibit in Moa.
1999 Ecological Art Event.
1998 XV Salon Plastic in April.
1998 Tenth Mural Salon.
1998 Tunera Plastic.
1998 Youth Stamps Salon.
1998 AHS Exhibits “Conve nient Space”.
1998 Youth Salon of the city “Guernica”.
1998 V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 VIII Salon José Martínes Ochoa.
1997 VII José Martines Ochoa.
1997 National Salon Mural, Las Tunas.
1995 Show of 12 Students from the Professional School of Plastic Arts.
1994–1995 Salon February 14.
1993 Students from the Professional School of Plastic Arts exhibited.

Awards and Honors

2011 Prize Salon “Plastic in April” Las Tunas.
2005 II Prize Salon UNEAC.
2003 III Prize Salon “Carlos Enríquez”
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Award granted by provincial culture).
2000 Special Mention, Sculptural Fountain Project. (Group A.S).
2000 Prize, Four sculptures for “Villa Cobarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Granted 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 Martines Ochoa.

Solo and Biographical Exhibitions

2017 Miniatures. Museum of the Constitution. Guáimaro. Camagüey.
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Notes of the Citadel” 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 (Worlds) with Ángel Peña.
1998 Personal Exhibition “Piety is named Dalila”.
1997 Personal Exhibition “Frises of Life”.
1997 Exhibition “Pages” ISPJAE, Havana.
1997 Personal Exhibition at the Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the Retazos de 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 together with visual artist Yamila Comas Vargas in a ceramic mural for the municipality of Jobabo, Las Tunas.
2013 Lecture on the first abstract art workshop. UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2013 His work becoming part of the collection at marimbartgallery Quebec, Canada
2013 Serves as jury member in selecting works for the Escaramujo salon of the José Martí brigade.
2011 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2004 Participates as Creator together with Yamila Comas Vargas in a pictorial mural at the Elementary School “Toma de Las Tunas”, Tunas municipality.
2003 Participates as creator together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures at the Elementary School “Marcelo Salado”, Colombia municipality.
2002 Participates as creator together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in three mural paintings at the Elementary School “Jesús Argüelles”, Tunas municipality.
2001 Jury member at the municipal salon “Carlos Enríquez” in Amancio Rodríguez
1999 Interview for the program “Quehacer” Tunas Visión
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 editory 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.