Cuba: A Pesar de Todo by Kyle Hislip & John Mitchell

October 2 – 30
Cuba: A Pesar de Todo by Kyle Hislip & John Mitchell in the Lower Gallery
Opening reception: Friday, October 2, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

This photographic series, created in February 2025, grew from an experience that left a deep and lasting impression upon us. We traveled and photographed Cuba together, but each came away with his own response to what we encountered.

For Kyle, reflecting on the island’s history became inseparable from what he saw and photographed. He reconsidered how its people twice sought liberation from oppressive regimes—first in 1895 through the revolution guided by José Martí against Spain, and later in 1959 when Castro and Guevara spearheaded a guerrilla movement to overthrow Batista’s harsh reign. Today, persistent economic struggles shape the modern landscape. While emerging private enterprise provides vital financial stability and resources, Kyle sees a tension between economic necessity and preserving the distinctive character and cultural identity of Cuba as outside influence increases. The people he encountered left an equally strong impression: resilience and vulnerability, joy amid difficult circumstances, and an extraordinary capacity to improvise, adapt, and continue. He left Cuba with deep compassion for its people and questions about what may be gained—and what may be lost – as the country changes.

For John, the strength of these images is in capturing people going about their lives in a place where the past and present are uniquely visible at the same time.
Rather than trying to explain Cuba or predict its future, he sees the photographs as observations: people working, gathering, talking, playing, repairing, waiting, and simply living. The hardship is real and should not be romanticized, but neither should it define the people in the photographs. For John, the photographs can create questions without having to supply the answers.

Through portraits of Havana’s residents, spontaneous street scenes, and photographs of the built environment, A Pesar de Todo records what we encountered during one moment in Cuba. The work reflects two photographers looking at the same place, sometimes responding to it differently, but sharing a deep affection and compassion for the people they met.

A pesar de todo.
Despite everything, life continues.

Kyle Hislip Artist Website: www.kylehislip.com | Instagram: @kyle_hislip  | Facebook: @KyleHislipStudio

John Mitchell Artist Website: 3ms.com | Instagram: @john.mitchell.photo