Photographer Captures Cuba’s Light Colonial Buildings

Cuba has drawn globetrotters to its vibrant streets, the place colourful, crumbling buildings and traditional automobiles stand as enduring echoes of the previous. Istanbul-based, British photographer James Kerwin just lately visited the Caribbean nation to seize the enduring fantastic thing about the now-abandoned colonial buildings, Art Deco theaters, and mid-century properties that embody the timeless spirit of the island. His collection, Time Suspended, captures each the allure of Cuba and the load of its historical past.

Kerwin’s fascination with deserted buildings and historic locations started in 2013, when he discovered himself drawn to areas that most individuals neglected. “Exploring abandoned factories and heritage buildings back in the UK showed me how much history is hidden in plain sight,” he instructed My Modern Met. “I enjoy seeking out architecture tucked away in our cities and towns—the kind of places you might walk past every day without noticing.”

Since then, Kerwin has been touring all over the world, capturing distinctive architectural landscapes from bygone eras. “These forgotten interiors and facades carry stories, textures, and layers of time that I want to capture before they disappear,” he says. “Roll on 12 years and these days I seek out everything from entranceways in Belgrade to ghost towns in Oman.”

Kerwin spent a complete of 28 days in Cuba, touring throughout the island to seize a number of the most fascinating forgotten areas within the space. “Cuba has a unique atmosphere,” Kerwin tells us. “Many of its buildings have been left untouched for decades, layered with color and history. I was curious to see how time had shaped Havana and smaller towns like Cienfuegos and Trinidad, where architecture and daily life overlap in striking ways.” The photographer provides, “The island felt like a natural extension of my work on overlooked heritage and urban ruins.”

Recalling a few of his favourite moments from his journey, Kerwin tells us, “Photographing inside a once-grand palace in Cienfuegos was an unforgettable experience. I also spent time at an abandoned spa complex by the coast, where nature had begun reclaiming the terraces.”

Meanwhile, in Havana, the devoted photographer spent weeks attempting to entry the colonial inside of an outdated Art Deco residence block. Inside, spiral staircases, marble flooring, and ornate home windows give an enchanting glimpse into the constructing’s previous. Kerwin recollects, “The streets at dawn and dusk—the mix of cars, facades, and fading paint—gave me some of my most memorable frames.”

The photographer plans to return to Cuba in February, when he’ll co-lead images excursions. Check out his Time Suspended collection beneath and discover extra from his vibrant portfolio on JamesKerwin’s website.

Photographer James Kerwin just lately visited Cuba to seize the enduring fantastic thing about the now-abandoned buildings of the island.

His collection, Time Suspended, captures each the allure of Cuba and the load of its historical past.

Spiral staircases, marble flooring, and ornate home windows give an enchanting glimpse into every constructing’s previous.

James Kerwin: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

My Modern Met granted permission to function pictures by James Kerwin.

Related Articles:

Travel Photographer Takes 24 Trips to Capture the “Soul of Cuba” [Interview]

Photographer Documents Dazzling Designs of Cuba’s Mosaic and Tile Floors

Photographer Documents Turkey’s Decadent Abandoned Mosques

Photographer Explores the Beauty and Decay of Abandoned Churches in Italy