His move to Málaga in 1969 marked a milestone in the Andalusian art scene. As a fundamental member of the historic Grupo Palmo, he played a decisive role in renewing the region’s visual language, becoming one of the great pioneers of abstraction. His style is distinguished by the masterful use of collage and torn paper, techniques that provide his canvases with architectural depth and a unique tactile quality.

The recognition of Dámaso Ruano’s talent transcended the studio, manifesting in a series of highly prestigious honors. In 2014, as a tribute to his invaluable contribution to the region's culture, he was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Málaga and named "Hijo Predilecto" (Favorite Son) of the province. These supreme municipal distinctions solidified his status as one of the fundamental pillars of contemporary Andalusian art.

Dámaso Ruano created numerous murals and worked across architecture, design, and urban planning. His work is held in official and private collections in Spain, Morocco, France, the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, and Germany. He is represented in the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca, the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts in Málaga, the Museum of Africa in Madrid, the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Printmaking, and the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation.