ON A RAZOR’S EDGE
Daniel is photographed through the window of a friend's living room, which had been transformed into a neighborhood barbershop where he cuts hair while pursuing his dream of becoming a professional boxer. In the early 2010s, Cuba introduced a series of economic reforms that allowed barbershops to operate as private businesses, offering many young Cubans greater independence and more control over their time and income. Around the same period, the influence of reggaeton and its Cuban subgenre, Cubatón, reshaped youth culture across the island, inspiring a distinctive visual language of intricate fades, shaved designs, bold colors, and expressive personal style. Together, these cultural shifts transformed neighborhood barbershops into spaces where identity, ambition, and community converge.
Created over multiple years and repeated journeys, the Cuba series is an ongoing exploration of everyday life, memory, and human connection. Rather than documenting the island through its most familiar symbols, Malikyar approached Cuba through relationships built over time, photographing moments of family, childhood, work, play, and daily ritual that often unfolded beyond the view of a first-time visitor.
Speaking Spanish and returning to the same communities allowed him to move beyond observation, creating photographs shaped by trust, curiosity, and shared experience. The resulting body of work offers a portrait of Cuba grounded not in spectacle or nostalgia, but in the quiet beauty of ordinary life and the people who give it meaning.
Part of a broader practice that spans cultures around the world, the series reflects Malikyar's enduring interest in revealing the humanity that exists beyond the narratives most often associated with a place.
Artwork Sizes
Prints are available unframed, or professionally framed.
+ 18×24 in (45×61 cm) print, total framed size: 24x30” (61x76cm)
+ 30×40 in (76×101.6 cm) print, total framed size: 38x48” (96x122cm)
+ 40×54 in (102×137 cm) print, total framed size: 48x62” (122x157cm)
ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS
+ Fine Art Paper: Archival pigment print on Canson Baryta Photographique 310gsm.
+ Presentation: Framed artworks are mounted with a white 8-ply archival mat for a refined museum-quality presentation. Each piece arrives ready to hang with all necessary hardware.
+ Frame: Solid wood gallery frame available in white, black, or natural wood.
+ Glazing: UV-protective, non-glare acrylic for enhanced protection while minimizing reflections.
+ Certificate of Authenticity: Each artwork includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity detailing the title, edition, size, and production information.
We currently ship to:
+ United States
+ Canada
+ European Union
+ United Kingdom
+ Australia
Each artwork is made to order and typically ships within 10-20 days of purchase. All shipments are fully insured and include tracking. Once your order has shipped, you'll receive a tracking number by email so you can follow your artwork throughout its journey. Delivery times may vary depending on destination and courier.