I am Cuban, but I don’t know Cuba. I know everything about the U.S. Virgin Islands but I’m not a native. My journey from St. Thomas to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to London, London to New York and back has shown me many new environments and cultures, but somehow brought me closer to my original home. My mother’s side of the family, the Muñoz, has always been very Spanish and loud. However, my lack of Spanish speaking pushes me to investigate Cuban culture using the few things I already know. I believe a point of reconnection for me to understand my Cuban heritage starts with the Caribbean I already know – St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 

These images are an imaginative showcase that portrays individuals within an ethereal world of Caribbean landscapes. The merge of digitalized garments onto bodies placed amongst real life scenery has allowed the non-existent to exist during a global pandemic.

The landscape images were captured in the Virgin Islands during a trip in 2019, while the models are simply friends that were photographed in London during lockdown 2020.

‘A Sip From My Caribbean Cup’ is a new point of development from my previous work, Hurrica, An Irma Project (2019). Similar to past projects, here I am interested in celebrating the Virgin Islands and the power these small islands hold. This idea was recognized in this work as Flor Vine: a developed motif of a vibrant plant growing on a blue chipped wall. In retrospect, Flor Vine operates as a metaphor for the Islands’ strength through Hurricane Irma, resembling their resilience and ability to rebuild and blossom each time.

During a recent trip back home to the Virgin Islands, I captured many common moments and symbols that reflect the uniqueness of each island and overall, the culture. From the crystal clear ocean landscapes, to customized safaris (local taxis), decaying walls and flourishing plants, all the way to the rum selection at B-Line beach bar. As different as these subjects might seem, they all share a Caribbean commonality in their own way, which allowed me to explore and reconnect with what feels like my suppressed heritage.

As well as these scenes, the project equally focuses on the symbolism and importance of 19th century St.Thomian painter, Camille Pissarro and iconic Cuban Salsa artist, Celia Cruz. This project argues that such a harmonious pairing, allowed the birth to my cultural self. The introduction of these two artists (of very different times) act as a bridge between my home and my heritage, thus both similarities and differences of the two Caribbean islands become intertwined. Subjects such as Cruzan bottles (V.I. rum) and cafecito cups of Pilon (Cuban coffee) are introduced as a celebratory transmission. This seminal moment is reflected in the print, At A Bar, Camille Pissarro Pilon and Celia Cruz Cruzan.