Cuba Unbound: Portraits of Resilience and Grace

Photographs by James Hazelwood

“But love, like the sun that is, sets afire and melts everything.

What greed and privilege to build up over whole centuries

the indignation of a pious spirit,

with its natural following of oppressed souls,

will cast down with a single shove.”

- Jose Marti, Poet of the Cuban people (1853-1895)

A country yearning for independence since Columbus, the sailor who encountered the island all those years ago. First came the Portuguese, then the Spanish, then Teddy and the Roughriders, followed by the Russians and the Americans. Cuba has been a pawn in someone else's game for centuries. Today, it nears collapse because of a family feud, with Cubans fighting against Cubans- an ultimate society turned inward since 1959. 

In 2025, Cuba is on the verge of collapse. 90% of the population lives on less than $1 a day, if that. The buildings in Havana and elsewhere are crumbling, amid widespread hunger and national fatigue. Still, there is little violence or crime. You might think that's because the government is turning its security forces against its people. While that's partly true, in reality, the government no longer has the resources to do so effectively. 

There is something else at play here. Cubans embody a spirit of grace. Not an angry people, but a proud one seeking warmth in companionship, freedom, and an opportunity to celebrate their heritage of music, art, literature, and dance. 

These portraits depict Cubans as resilient people.

James Hazelwood Photography  www.jameshazelwoodphoto.com  

About the Gallery

The gallery space will be filled with art from members of the Trinity Community- parishioners, relatives or friends, community groups using our facility, and perhaps artists from the surrounding community. The Exhibition Team will solicit artwork privately (as was done for our initial exhibitions) and publicly. We want to see the artistic talents of our whole community as people are willing to share them.

The art does not need to be religious or spiritual in nature but it does need to be appropriate to be displayed. Learn more & FAQ