Jose Manuel Mayo Peña - Umbral de Inmersión

Jose Manuel Mayo Peña
Threshold of Immersion, 2026
Acrylic on canvas, 36 × 53 cm
Signed (lower right)
Includes certificate of authenticity issued and signed by the artist
There are moments when the world is transformed completely. In “Threshold of Immersion,” Jose Manuel Mayo Peña captures with extraordinary force the exact instant when a woman crosses the boundary between two realities: air and water.
The work places us inside the ocean, sharing the diver’s gaze. Her face, framed by the mask and hair floating freely, looks at us directly while she extends her arm, as if inviting us to accompany her on that journey. The rising bubbles, the light filtering from the surface, and the seabed glimpsed in the depth create a living, vibrant, and deeply immersive atmosphere.
This painting is not merely an underwater scene. It is a threshold. It represents that precise moment of surrender, of leaving what is known to venture into the unknown. The water envelops the body, sound disappears, gravity shifts, and everything slows down—more intimate, more essential. The diver seems to be in a state of full presence, connected with the sea and with herself.
Mayo Peña masterfully conveys the beauty of the underwater world and, at the same time, the emotion of that first immersion moment: the blend of awe, freedom, and slight vulnerability felt when crossing that invisible line. The light, color, and movement of the water are treated with a sensitivity that makes the viewer almost feel the ocean’s freshness and the light weight of the floating body.
“Threshold of Immersion” is a work that invites contemplation and a longing for adventure. It speaks of the beauty of exploring new worlds, of the connection with nature, and of those moments when one feels utterly alive.
A piece of great visual and emotional impact, ideal for collectors seeking contemporary figurative art with depth, atmosphere, and the ability to transport the viewer to another place.


JOSE MANUEL MAYO PEÑA

- Born in Las Tunas Province, Las Tunas, Cuba (1976)
- Graduated in 1997 in drawing and painting at the School of Plastic Arts in Las Tunas.
- Member of the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS)
- Member of the Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC)
- Has served as specialist and curator in Fayad Jamis and Guernica galleries in Las Tunas
- Joined art education 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.

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. The Jungle of Nicolás Guillén Foundation. Las Tunas. September.
2023 Salon. 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. Shoot to Kill. 61st Anniversary. UNEAC Headquarters Gallery. August.
2022 May Abstract. Collective Virtual Exhibition. 5th Abstract Art Workshop. The Crusade Project. Las Tunas. May.
2022 Collective Exhibition. Center for the Development of Visual Arts. Las Tunas. Result of the 5th Abstract Art Workshop. The Crusade Project. May.
2022 May Abstract Workshop The Crusade. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May
2022 Solo 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 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 Council of Plastic Arts. Las Tunas. October–November.
2021 Collective Exhibition of Cuban Painters In Tribute to Pedro de Oraá. May Abstract. UNEAC Gallery. Las Tunas. May.
2020 UNEAC Salon 2020. For Cuba’s 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. 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. The Crusade Project. 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 Hall. UNEAC. Holguín. November.
2018 UNEAC Salon. Flashes 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. UNEAC Provincial Committee. Santiago de Cuba. May.
2018 Abstract Art (May Abstract) The Crusade Project. Fayad Jamís Gallery. Collective Exhibition. Las Tunas.
2018 April Plastic Salon. Provincial Council of Plastic Arts Las Tunas. April.
2018 Digital Art Salon. 30th edition of the Provincial Plastic Salon The Plastic 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. The Crusade Project. UNEAC Gallery. March. Las Tunas.
2018 About the Purple. Erotic Art Salon. Provincial UNEAC Gallery. February–March. Las Tunas.
2017 Winter Salon, Fayad Jamís Gallery. Las Tunas.
2017 Imán II, The Crusade Project, Lario Gallery, Camagüey.
2017 Tribute, UNEAC Gallery, Las Tunas.
2017 Cuban Contemporary Artists, Rocca Aldobrandesca-Piacastagnaio. Italy
2017 Imán Project The Crusade, Theatre National of Cuba Gallery. 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 Woodcut. Fayad Jamís Gallery Las Tunas.
2015 Cuba How Beautiful Cuba Is. Città della Pieve Umbria Italy
2014 Collective Exhibition 100 Abstract Painters. Alba Cultural Center. Havana
2014 Collective Exhibition A Color for Clemen Greember Project The Crusade UNEAC Las Tunas.
2014 Exhibition for the 45th anniversary of Art Education in Las Tunas. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts Las Tunas
2013 Collective Exhibition of Abstract Painting “THE CRUSADE.” Provincial Center of Plastic Arts Las Tunas.
2012 April Plastic 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, Footprints Cultural Center, Las Tunas.
2011 Retrospective Graduates of the Las Tunas Art School, Tunas Theater
2010 II Eastern Salon, Emilio Bacardí Museum, Santiago de Cuba.
2009 Summer Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2008 II Erotic Art Salon (With a Light Grace of Nudity). 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 Exposition, Valencia, Spain.
2007 Cuban Art Exposition, Italy.
2007 Drammen and Cuba Exposition, Drammen Theater, Norway.
2007 I Erotic Art Salon UNEAC, Las Tunas.
2007 Collective Art Exhibition “THE CRUSADE” under the Cultural Huellas project.

2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.
2006 Exhibition of Tunero artists in Germany.
2006 Collective Exhibition for UNEAC admission Las Tunas.
2006 Collective Exhibition “My City” for Las Tunas’ 210th anniversary.
2006 Exhibition “Artists of the Cultural Property Fund” Fayad Jamís Gallery.
2006 Collective UNEAC members exhibition to celebrate Culture Week in Las Tunas.
2006 UNEAC Salon Las Tunas.

2006 Collective Abstract Art Exhibition, Havana.
2006 Fourth Abstract Art Event “The Crusade” Holguín Art Center
2006 2005 Premiados Salon
2006 Third Abstract Art Event ‘The Crusade’ UNEAC Guantánamo
2006 I Abstract Art Workshop ‘Spirit of Abstraction’ Sancti Spíritus
2005 Miniatures Salon.
2005 Plástica in April Salon.
2005 I Abstract Art Event “The Crusade” (UNEAC Manzanillo).
2005 Tunero Plastic Show.
2005 II Abstract Art Event “The Crusade” (UNEAC Las Tunas).
2004 UNEAC Salon.
2004 2003 Premiados Salon.
2003 Salon “Lucilo León Águila.”
2003 Salon “Carlos Enríquez.”
2002 UNEAC Salon.
2002 “Fayad Jamís” Salon.
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Provincial Culture Prize).
2000 City Youth Salon “Guernica.”
2000 XVII Salon “Plastic in April.”
2000 Retrospective of Tunero plastic.
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 Premiado Salon.
1999 City Youth Salon “Guernica.”
1999 XVI Plastic in April.
1999 Tuneros exhibit in Moa.
1999 Eco Art Event.
1998 XV Plastic in April.
1998 Tenth Mural Salon.
1998 Tunera Plastic.
1998 Young Print Salon.
1998 AHS exhibits “Convenient Space.”
1998 City Youth Salon “Guernica.”
1998 V Territorial Salon José A. Díaz Peláez.
1998 VIII Salon José Martines Ochoa.
1997 VII José Martines 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 Expose students of the Professional School of Plastic Arts.

Awards and Honors

2011 Prize Salon “Plastic in April” Las Tunas.
2005 UNEAC Second Prize Salon.
2003 Carlos Enríquez Third Prize Salon
2001 Plastic in April Salon (Provincial Culture Prize).
2000 Special Mention for 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 Salon Joven de la ciudad “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. Constitution Museum. Guáimaro. Camagüey.
2006 Two-person Exhibition “City Sketches” with Vladimir Santiago. UNAAIC, Las Tunas.
2006 Two-person Exhibition “Different Common II” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Puerto Padre Gallery
2006 Two-person Exhibition “Different Common” with Yamila Coma Vargas. Hotel Inglaterra, Havana.
2006 Solo Exhibition “Intimate Inequality” (Guest Artist: Yoángel Batista)
2005 Three-person Exhibition “=3” (with Yamila Coma and Helier Batista).
2000 Two-person Exhibition “We Are Not Responsible” with Leosvanis Mayo.
1998 Two-person Exhibition (Mundos) with Ángel Peña.
1998 Solo Exhibition “Piety Is Called Delilah.”
1997 Solo Exhibition “Friezes of Life.”
1997 Solo Exhibition in ISPJAE, Havana.
1997 Solo Exhibition at Puerto Padre Museum.
2017 Creates the Sprouts of the Cucalambé workshop at the Martyrs of December 28 School.
2015 Interview for Radio Victoria, Las Tunas
2015 Interview for Tunas Vision Cultural News.
2015 Participates as Producer 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 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 Participates as Producer together with visual artist Yamila Comas Vargas in a pictorial mural at Toma de Las Tunas Elementary School, Tunas municipality.
2003 Participates as producer together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in two monumental sculptures at Marcelo Salado Elementary School, Colombia municipality.
2002 Participates as producer together with Yamila Coma Vargas and Jesús Vega Faura in three pictorial murals at Jesús Argüelles Elementary School, Las Tunas.
2001 Serves as jury member at the municipal salon “Carlos Enríquez” in Amancio Rodríguez
1999 Interview for the “Quehacer” Tunas Vision program
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 various writers from Las Tunas. The works have been published by the Sanlope Publishing House in Las Tunas
- 2000 “Canticas of Scorn” by Osmani Eduardo
- 2000 “Shadows” by Frank Castel
- 1998 “Piety Is Called Delilah” by Julio A Molinet
His work is held in private collections in Cuba, the USA, Spain, Norway, Italy, England, Puerto Rico, and France.