For over a decade, Jorge Villarreal has cultivated an intimate relationship with Havana, making annual visits to explore and photograph the city’s vibrant culture, history, and architecture. Initiated in 2009, his ongoing series, “La Habana,” offers a revealing look at the enduring spirit of Cuba, juxtaposing the anachronistic elements of its communist past with the evolving realities of everyday life under the lingering effects of the embargo.
Through richly colored images and tactile textures, Villarreal invites viewers into the folkloric rituals and social fabric of Havana. His photographs capture the city’s timeless charm—an echo of Fidel Castro’s utopian communist vision that has, in many ways, survived the passing years. Each frame highlights the resilience and tenacity of the Cuban people, reflecting both the hardships of day-to-day existence and the extraordinary warmth that makes Havana a North American cultural treasure.
By delving into the city’s alleyways, architecture, and communal spaces, Villarreal uncovers the unique stories etched into walls and worn into streets. His lens focuses on contrasts—between grand colonial facades and weathered surfaces, between the harsh realities of economic constraints and the undeniable vibrancy of Cuban life. Over the years, “La Habana” has been showcased in multiple publications and exhibitions, speaking to its resonance as a visual record of a city shaped by history yet defined by hope and ingenuity.
Villarreal’s dedication to documenting Havana’s evolving narrative, from Fidel Castro’s era to the present, reveals a city caught between nostalgia and modern aspirations. Through color, texture, and personal engagement with local communities, his photography imparts a nuanced understanding of Cuba’s identity—one where cultural heritage, political ideology, and daily life collide. Ultimately, “La Habana” stands as a testament to the artist’s deep connection to the island’s pulse and his commitment to sharing that connection with viewers around the world.
Untitled (Azul)
Untitled (Cuarto Negro)
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled (Focsa Architecture)
Untitled (Riviera)
Untitled (Ventanas Rosas)
Untitled (Cohiba)
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled (Hasta Las Nubes)
Untitled
"Tommy" 2012
Tommy, former ballet dancer and instructor alongside Alicia Alonzo and Carlos Acosta, sits outside of his home’s restaurant, or paladar, to begin each day with tea and people watching. Paladares are fundamentally directed to serve a more vivid interaction with homestyle, Cuban food. La Guarida, the most famous paladar in all of Cuba, is open for business just down the road.
"Estrellados" 2015
Arte en la Rampa, on Havana’s main strip, gathers musical concerts, food, drinks, art. Hundreds of people traffic in and out of the venue daily. A crate of eggs falls and breaks at the back entrance of the event.
"Rojo" 2012
The red car near Tommy’s house. The car seemed similar to the wall, in texture and wear. Villarreal took several images of this wall and car, also seen in his "All My Friends are Sketchy" series, a mixed media art project.
"La Vista" 2013
"Elbia's House" 2013
Elbía accepts a crown of bright flowers from locals outside of the main bar, La Bodegita.Over the years, she befriends Villarreal, inviting him upstairs, and over to her home on top of the bar, where she sings to him.
Elbía says she is 28 years old.
"El Tesoro de Abajo" 2012
Water at the entrance to the Port of Havana. Throughout history, Havana has learned to defend themselves against naval attacks. At 9pm each evening, the city is informed by a single canon shot that the port is closed, and chains are raised. Hundreds of ships have sunk from trespassing, leaving treasure also. China has offered to clean the water in exchange to keep all treasure they find.
Cuba denied.
"Untitled" (Phone Booth) 2013
"Untitled" (Pescadores) 2012
"Barbero" 2013
Elbia poses outside her home
"Change" 2015
The streets of La Habana Vieja, Villarreal captures people’s anticipation for the emerging relations between Cuba and the US. A man walks in front of Che Guevara in American flag shirt, shorts and shoes.
"El Niño y la Telé" 2015
A child watches as Cuba raises the American flag for the first time since 1961. This night marked a historic ceremony to reopen the diplomatic outpost in Havana, and normalize the relationship between the two countries.
"Lagunas" 2013
A corner meat market on Lagunas St. Religious motifs displayed publicly in the background.
"Cat Call" 2015
Deep within an alleyway of Centro Habana, a private invitation is exchanged of calls ‘chulo,’ ‘guapo,’ ‘papi.’
"Untitled" (Che) 2014
"Untitled" 2013
Man poses proudly while showing off his motorized bicycle.
"Down" 2015
Although illegal, prostitution is a profitable hustle. One CUC amounts to 25 national Pesos.
"Untitled" (Pedro) 2013
Pedro Pulido gets a hair cut before his graduation from the Universidad de La Habana
"Stranded" 2014
4am, outside of an apartment window, two drunken men argue over their broken down car.
"Untitled" 2013
Man sits and plays the French Horn on the Malecon. Joking he asks if they can hear him in Miami.
"Untitled" (Gucci) 2015
"Untitled" (Turquoise Architecture Cloud) 2013
"Rum Room" 2010
"Puerco" 2013
A market table sorts pig parts at a grocery for Shaman’s rituals.
"Blue Vent-Ana" 2011
"Before the Ritual" 2013
The beginning of a cleansing Santería ritual to last approximately 6 hours, and after an intricate assemblage of the person’s profile drawn and translated onto cloths.The pigeon would be soaked in rum, and beat against the person’s face and body until the bird died.
"Pelota" 2013
Boys play pelota, or hand ball, a popular street game among Latin American countries: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Cuba.
"Brujo Blanco" 2012
"Mano" 2010
The hand of Elbía.
"Untitled" (Malecon Kids Swimming) 2015
Walking the Malecon during sunset, kids play and swim before night fall.
"Santería" 2013
One of two birds decapitated for a ritual.The chicken was drained and defeathered as an offering to the god represented by a bucket of twenty machetes.
"Untitled" 2013
"Kids in Habana Streets" 2015
While photographing a mural of Che Guevara on Ave San Agustin, Kids pass and say hello.
"Jesus Under Construction" 2015
"Smoking Graciela" 2010
Nicknamed "Polly" or "La Guera," Graciela has become one of La Habana's most iconic faces. Her sudden death in October of 2012 gave the opportunity to her best friend and roommate Elbia to come to follow in her footstep and become an icon as well.
"Pescador" 2010
Fishing supplies are very hard to come by in Cuba. Many fishermen improvise with what they have to catch a fish. Condoms are used as a floater and can keep the bait from sinking to the ocean floor.
"Niño en el Malecon" 2010
"Fin" 2013
Part of a finance building in Centro Habana, and the end of Cuba as an untouched treasure before major change.
"Wilber's Seat" 2013
The seat of Wilber. Although most cars in Cuba originally have gasoline motors, many people customize they're cars so that they run on diesel gas because it is a lot more economical.
"Agua" 2011
"Inventory" 2013
Closet of the witch doctor’s inventory. Among other shelves: tiger bone, rhino horn and herbs.
"Caro Verde" 2015
Untitled
"Untitled" Carne
"Verde y Rosa"
"No Parqueo..."
Untitled
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Dame Tu Leche"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled" Tomas
Untitled (Teal2)
Untitled (Pink)
Untitled (Teal)
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled" Nino Rojo
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled" Puerta Verde
"Untitled"
"Los Pescadores" 2012
Zapatos
Zapatos 2
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled" 2010
"Untitled" dancer 2010
"Untitled" 2010
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"
"Untitled"