LOS ANGELES, CA.- Cuba has long inspired photographers with its vibrant streets, colorful architecture, and unmistakable atmosphere. In Cuba es Vida, David Saxe looks beyond these familiar images to reveal a more personal and nuanced portrait of the island. Created over the course of three journeys, the project explores the rhythms of everyday life, where history, resilience, and human connection quietly unfold.

Rather than documenting Cuba's iconic landmarks, Saxe is drawn to its people and the moments that often go unnoticed. Musicians rehearsing in empty theaters, fishermen preparing their boats at dawn, children training in boxing gyms and ballet schools, and elderly residents reflecting on lives shaped by history become the heart of the story. His photographs celebrate ordinary life while revealing the remarkable spirit that continues to define the country.

What distinguishes Cuba es Vida is its visual language. Saxe embraces darkness, blur, and atmosphere, allowing emotion to take precedence over description. His photographs resist the polished perfection often associated with travel photography. Instead, shadows soften the edges of memory, movement suggests the pulse of daily life, and imperfect moments become powerful expressions of authenticity. The result is a body of work that feels both intimate and timeless.

Throughout the series, Cuba emerges as a place where past and present exist simultaneously. Colonial architecture slowly fades, political history remains visible, and the marks of time appear everywhere. Yet these changes never overshadow the warmth, resilience, and generosity of the Cuban people. Saxe's photographs acknowledge the country's complexities while remaining deeply rooted in its humanity.





For Saxe, the true story of Cuba lies not in its famous streets or classic cars, but in its gestures, conversations, music, and shared moments. His images invite viewers to experience the country emotionally rather than simply observe it, offering a perspective that moves beyond familiar visual clichés.

With Cuba es Vida, David Saxe presents a thoughtful and evocative portrait of contemporary Cuba—one that favors atmosphere over spectacle and feeling over documentation. His photographs remind us that the essence of a place is often found not in its landmarks, but in the people who continue to give it life.

Born in Montreal, Québec, Canada, in 1943, David Saxe studied fine art at l'École des Beaux-Arts in Montreal. His interest in photography was sparked by the work of Robert Frank, Roy DeCarava, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

For four years, he studied under renowned Canadian photographer John Max and participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout Canada before moving to the United States in 1992. Today, Saxe divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.