Virginia Beahan’s monograph, CUBA: Singing with Bright Tears presents the raw beauty, and haunting contradictions, of a 21st-century Western nation struggling to reconcile its tumultuous past with a fragile sense of its own modernity. Since the publication of that impressive book, Beahan has continued her investigation of this important Caribbean nation.  These new photographs recognize an emergent class of resilient, business-minded individuals as Beahan frames their entrepreneurial efforts within still-uncertain economic conditions.

—Derrick Cartwright, Curator, University of San Diego Galleries


Vegetables for sale
Restored 1958 Edsel used as tourist taxi
Tobacco farmer
Reconstruction along the Malecon
José Martí poster celebrating Revolution
Mattress maker
Manicure shop
Clandestine meeting site for fastboat departures
Lighter and watch repair stand
Chef at his own paladar
Graffiti on abandoned sugar warehouse
Cotton candy bought from newly licensed street vendor
Cellphone repair shop
Burger stand with hand-painted Raquel Welch sign
Bootleg media and el paquete distribution business
Barber shop, Old Havana
Almost Famous Art Gallery and Studio
Train Station, last for steam engines, Caibarién
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Vegetables for sale
Restored 1958 Edsel used as tourist taxi
Tobacco farmer
Reconstruction along the Malecon
<span style="margin-left: 21%;">José Martí poster celebrating Revolution</span>
Mattress maker
Manicure shop
Clandestine meeting site for fastboat departures
Lighter and watch repair stand
Chef at his own paladar
Graffiti on abandoned sugar warehouse
Cotton candy bought from newly licensed street vendor
Cellphone repair shop
Burger stand with hand-painted Raquel Welch sign
Bootleg media and el paquete distribution business
Barber shop, Old Havana
Almost Famous Art Gallery and Studio
Train Station, last for steam engines, Caibarién
previous arrow
next arrow