Jose Manuel Mayo Peña - Primavera XL

Jose Manuel Mayo Peña
Spring, 2025
Oil on canvas, 128 × 80 cm
Signed (lower right)
Includes certificate of authenticity issued and signed by the artist
In “Spring,” Jose Manuel Mayo Peña unleashes an explosion of life, color, and movement. This large vertical work does not represent the season literally, but feels it and transmits it in its pure state: like a burst of energy that erupts from the canvas and envelops the viewer.
Broad, gestural brushstrokes, charged with emotion, intertwine in a whirl of intense reds, vibrant blues, fresh greens, luminous yellows, and touches of pink and orange. Each stroke seems to hold power and lightness at the same time, as if the painting itself were breathing, growing, and renewing before our eyes. There are no defined shapes, but there is a clear sense of blossoming, of life waking up and expanding without limits.
This work evokes the joy, hope, and renewing strength that spring brings. It is a hymn to vitality, to change, and to the beauty that arises even from apparent chaos. Color is not decoration: it beats, moves, and creates a nearly physical experience. Whoever stands before “Spring” does not just look at it, they feel it. It is a piece that awakens the senses and the spirit.
Mayo Peña achieves with this work one of the most difficult qualities in abstract painting: conveying pure emotion without the need for figures or narratives. The result is a work of great presence, energy, and optimism, capable of transforming any space with its vital force.
“Spring” is an exceptional piece for collectors seeking contemporary abstract art with emotional charge, movement, and the ability to generate an immediate and lasting connection.

JOSE MANUEL MAYO PEÑA

- Born in Las Tunas, Las Tunas Province, Cuba, (1976)
- Graduated in 1997 in drawing and painting at the School of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.
- Member of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (A.H.S.)
- Member of the Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC)
- Has served as specialist and curator at Fayad Jamis and Guernica galleries in Las Tunas
- Joined artistic teaching in 2001 as drawing teacher.
- 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 Expo. When I Came into This World. Gallery. La Jungla of the Nicolás Guillen Foundation. Las Tunas. September.
2023 Salon. Plastic Arts in April. Provincial Arts Council Gallery 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 Taller de pintura abstracta. 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 Abstracto V Workshop La Cruzada. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May
2022 Solo You and the Moon. Collective Exhibition. Nicolás Guillen Foundation. La Jungla Gallery. 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 Expo All the Hands. National Culture Day. Provincial Arts Council. Las Tunas. October–November.

2021 Collective Exhibition of Cuban Painters Tribute to Pedro de Oraá. Mayo Abstracto. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May.
2020 UNEAC Salon 2020. For Cuban Culture Day. Provincial Arts Arts Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2020 Collective Exhibition Woman–Light. Decima rte. Gallery From a Deep Outlook. Las Tunas. March.
2020 Erotic Art Salon. UNEAC Las Tunas Gallery. February.
2020 Exhibition Light in the Soul. 167th Anniversary of José Martí’s Birth. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. January.
2019 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas. Tribute to Cuban Culture Day. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. October.
2019 National Meeting of Abstract Art. Imán IV. Collage 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. 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 Hall. UNEAC. Holguín. November.
2018 UNEAC Salon. Sparks 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. Gesture Suggestions. Confronta Gallery. UNEAC Provincial Committee. Santiago de Cuba. May.
2018 Abstract Art (Mayo Abstracto) La Cruzada Project. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Collective Expo. Las Tunas.
2018 April Plastic Arts Salon. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. April.
2018 Digital Art Salon. Dedicated to the 30th edition of the Provincial Art Salon The Plastic Arts in April. UNEAC Gallery. April. Las Tunas.
2018 Collective Exhibition. Abstracts at Home. Project: The Crusade. March–April. Las Tunas.
2018 Abstract Art Salon. Expressive Abstracts. 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 Imán II project La Cruzada, Lario Gallery, Camagüey.
2017 Tribute, 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 xilography. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.
2015 Cuba how pretty Cuba is. Citta’ d’ La pieve Umbría Italy
2014 Collective Exhibition 100 Abstract Painters. Alba Cultural House. Havana
2014 Collective Exhibition A color for Clemen Greember La Cruzada UNEAC Las Tunas.
2014 Collective Exhibition for the 45th anniversary of arts teaching in Las Tunas. Provincial Arts Center Las Tunas
2013 Collective Painting Exhibition LA CRUZADA. Provincial Arts Center Las Tunas.
2012 Spring Plastic Arts Salon. Provincial Arts Center Las Tunas.
2011 Strictly Collective. Show for UNEAC 50th Anniversary. Provincial Arts Center Las Tunas.
2011 Cuban Tribute. Provincial Museum Las Tunas.
2011 Expo “4x4” La Jungla Gallery, Huellas Cultural Center, Las Tunas.
2011 Retrospective Graduates of the School of Art of Las Tunas, Theater Tunas
2010 II Eastern Salon, Emilio Bacardi Museum, Santiago de Cuba.
2009 Summer UNEAC Salon, Las Tunas.
2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With a touch of the nud es). UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2008 I Eastern Salon, Emilio Bacardi 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 Exhibition, Valencia, Spain.
2007 Cuban Art Exhibition, Italy.
2007 Drammen and Cuba Exhibition, Drammen Theatre Norway.
2007 I Erotic Art UNEAC Salon, Las Tunas.
2007 COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION of abstract art LA CRUZADA ceded from CULTURAL Huellas.
2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.
2006 Exhibition of Tuner artists in Germany.
2006 Collective Exhibition for UNEAC entry UNEAC Las Tunas.
2006 Tuna Quarter UNEAC Las Tunas.
2006 Collective exhibition of abstract art, Havana.
2006 Fourth Abstract Art Event La Cruzada Holguín Arts Center
2006 2005 Premiados Salon
2006 Third Abstract Art Event ‘La Cruzada’ UNEAC Guantánamo
2006 I Workshop of Abstract Art ‘Abstract Spirit’ Sancti Spíritus
2005 Miniature Salon.
2005 Plastic Arts in April Salon.
2005 I Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” UNEAC Manzanillo.
2005 Tuners plastic show.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “La Cruzada” UNEAC Las Tunas.
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 Premio salon 2003.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila”.
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez”.
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 Salon “Fayad Jamis”.
2001 Plastic Arts April Salon (Provincial culture prize).
2000 Youth City Salon “Guernica”.
2000 XVII Salon “Plastic Arts in April”.
2000 Retrospective of Tunera Plastic Arts.
2000 Sculpture Source Project (Group A.S).
2000 Four sculptures for “Villa Cobarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Awarded by AHS”.
1999 Prize Salon.
1999 Youth City Salon “Guernica”.
1999 XVI April Plastic Arts.
1999 Tuners Exhibit in Moa.
1999 Ecological Art Event.
1998 XV Plastic Arts in April Salon.
1998 Tenth Mural Salon.
1998 Tunera Plastic Arts.
1998 Youth Stamps Salon.
1998 A.H.S Exhibits “Convenient Space”.
1998 Youth Salon “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 February 14 Salon.
1993 Students of the Professional School of Plastic Arts exhibit.

Awards and Honors

2011 Prize Salon “Plastic in April” Las Tunas.
2005 II UNEAC Prize.
2003 III Prize Salon “Carlos Enríquez”
2001 Plastic Arts April Salon (Provincial culture prize).
2000 Special Mention Decorative Sculpture Source Project (Group A.S).
2000 Prize, Four sculptures for “Villa Cobarrubias” (Group A.S).
1999 X Edition Fayad Jamís Salon “Prize Awarded by AHS”.
1998 Prize Youth City Salon “Guernica”.
1998 Mention, V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 Prize VIII Salon José Martínez Ochoa.
1997 Mention, VII José Martínez 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 “Different Common II” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Puerto Padre Gallery
2006 Bipersonal Exhibition “Different Common” 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 do not take responsibility” with Leosvanis Mayo.
1998 Bipersonal Exhibition (Worlds) 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 the Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the sprouts workshop of cucalambé at the Mártires del 28 de December school
2015 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2015 Interview for Tunas Visión Cultural News.
2015 Participates as Maker 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 Quebec, Canada
2013 Acts as juror in selecting works for the Escaramujo salon of the José Martí Brigade.
2011 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2004 Participates as Maker with Yamila Comas Vargas in a pictorial mural at the primary school “Toma de Las Tunas,” Municipality Tunas.
2003 Participates as maker with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures, at the primary school “Marcelo Salado,” Municipality Colombia.
2002 Participates as maker 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 Vision
1999 Participates as juror in the 9th José Martínez Ochoa Salon
1998 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
He has illustrated poems and décimas for several writers from Las Tunas; the works have been published by the Sanlope editorial 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
His work is in private collections in Cuba, USA, Spain, Norway, Italy, England, Puerto Rico, and France.