Shea Grehan’s combined passion for photography and geography culminated in a rare, 10-day trip to Cuba with the Illinois State University Honors Program in 2019. While in Cuba, he observed—and photographed—many facets of Cuban society.
A collection of Grehan’s photos will be on display in the Schroeder Hall Gallery during the 2023-24 academic year, with an opening reception for “Exploring Cuba” on Thursday, September 21, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Latin American and Latino/a Studies, and the Wonsook Kim School of Art. It is part of Illinois State’s Latinx Heritage Month celebration.
A 2020 graduate who double-majored in photography and geography with a minor in environmental science, Grehan is now a photographer at Illinois State with University Marketing and Communications.
Grehan said he wants Thursday’s “Exploring Cuba” reception to include an open dialogue and questions about both Cuba’s history and his art.
“I would like for people to ask questions about my experiences traveling to Cuba, because I want to create a conversation,” Grehan said. “I’d like for those attending to ask me things that haven’t been answered or addressed, either by looking at my work or my book.”
Grehan, who also published a photobook from his trip to Cuba, said he wants to highlight the beauty of an often-misconceived part of the world.
“One of the biggest things I tried to dispel, or at least explain the history about in the book, were the assumptions many people have about Cuba as a country,” Grehan said. “Everyone tends to think about cigars, sugar, rum, communism, and tobacco. It’s so much more than that.”
Along with showcasing his photography, Grehan dives into the complex history of Cuba. Grehan particularly admires the farm-to-table lifestyle in Cuba and is thankful for his opportunity to sample culturally rich, fresh food. He said it was a delicious and informative experience.
“This is the first time in their recent history, in the last 20 years, that Cubans have been able to control their own food production system,” Grehan said. “And so that’s why they generally refuse modern agricultural inputs and are very resistant to the idea of fertilizers and machinery.”
By using historic farming methods, Grehan said many Cuban farmers are practicing agroecology—the application of ecological concepts and principals in farming. He said our planet would benefit from expanded awareness and implementation of some of these sustainable farming techniques.
Grehan conducted further research on this subject during his Political Ecology seminar, and his findings can be found in his book alongside his photography. He said anyone can begin practicing agroecology by growing their own food-producing plants such as tomato or basil plants.
“Try to look into agroecology and agroecological principles and consider where your food comes from, the impact it has on your health, and the environment in which has grown in,” Grehan said.
Along with his agricultural focus, Grehan seeks to emphasize the bonds we share with the people of Cuba despite political differences. He hopes viewers of his gallery will leave with a better understanding of Cuban society by seeing his photos of people, landscapes, cityscapes, wildlife, monuments, art, activities, and so much more.
“I want to highlight the nuances in the beauty of life and the people who live in Cuba, showing how complex they all are,” Grehan said. “This is not meant to be some discovery. It’s supposed to be a reminder.”
