His early paintings focused on the human figure, mostly the female form, and a theme that would remain a constant throughout his career: witches (brujas).

[2][3] After moving to Paris Vigas studied at the École des Beaux-Arts[2] and took open courses at the Sorbonne.

He was commissioned to produce five mosaic murals that were to become part of the Universidad Central de Venezuela, later declared a World Heritage Cultural Site by UNESCO in 2000.

He also had exhibitions at the Slater Memorial Museum of Norwich, Connecticut and the University of Nebraska Art Gallery, and participated in the Contemporary Drawings from Latin America show at the Pan-American Union in Washington, D.C.

Influenced by a visit to Picasso in 1955 and by an interest in anthropology and so-called "primitive cultures", Vigas channeled his works of the 1950s into a search for an authentic language, combining gestural, geometric and figurative paintings.

He lived in Paris for twelve years, where he met his wife Janine and was associated with Fernand Léger, Max Ernst, and Wifredo Lam.

During the early 1960s, Vigas explored informalism, using thick black lines to portray the figure through abstract volumes and shapes.

From the mid 60's onwards, Vigas' work progressively shifted back from informalism to a new figurative phase.

In 1992 the city of Monte Carlo honored him with the Prince Rainier Grand Prize, and the Monnaie de Paris organized a retrospective from 1952 to 1993 showcasing one hundred and thirty-two works comprising paintings, ceramics and sculptures.

In 2012 he was invited to participate in the Un Coeur, un Monde group show that traveled through France, the United States, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil and Japan.