Día de Muertos
Building Bridges through Día de Muertos is a journey of remembrance, community, and cultural expression through dance, film, and ritual.
At the heart of this project is my short film, Building Bridges, a deeply personal expression of loss, memory, and healing, created after the passing of my mother. Through movement, ritual, and voice, the film explores how love, culture, and community carry us through grief.
Are you interested in bringing Building Bridges to Your Community?
I’d be delighted to collaborate with your organisation, school, festival, or group. Whether it’s a film screening, dance workshop, cultural talk, or a remembrance event, I believe this work can offer joy, healing, and connection.
About the Project
As a Mexican artist living in the UK, sharing Día de Muertos traditions has been a powerful part of my healing and creative work. This evolving project uses performance, art, and ritual to open conversations about death, remembrance, and cultural identity.
I’m delighted to be working on this project in collaboration with Dr Jane Lavery, a specialist on the Mexican Day of the Dead, for a project funded by the University of Southampton. Together, we have worked with communities across the South of England through:
Day of the Dead celebrations which involved altar-making (ofrendas), hummingbird crafts, flowers and shared stories
Dance and movement workshop in care homes, community centres, and public spaces
Post-film conversations reflecting on grief, cultural identity, and memory
Collaborative art-making with people of all ages and backgrounds
Food, music, and shared rituals honouring life as well as death
These inclusive events have brought together Mexicans living here, African Caribbean communities, and UK audiences, inviting reflection, celebration, and healing.
Highlights of the Project
Film Screenings and Conversation
Shown at public events and during Dying Matters Awareness Week 2024, each screening opens space for emotional healing and conversations around grief and remembrance.
Workshops in the Community
Día de Muertos workshops blend movement, music, storytelling, and meaningful objects (such as flowers, blue fabric and candles) to evoke joy and happy memories.
Cultural Collaboration
Participants co-create spaces of remembrance, often building altars and sharing stories that explore their identity and legacy.
“Gabriel’s film was deeply moving… when he cried out in his grief, it took me back to the moment I did exactly that when I lost my mum. What a release.”
“We felt uplifted, connected, and comforted. The altar, the music, the food – it all reminded us that our loved ones are still with us.”
The Comfort Cookbook
Celebrating culture, care, and community through food
I was honoured to co-author The Comfort Cookbook alongside researchers from the University of Southampton and members of the African and African-Caribbean community in the city.
More than a cookbook, it’s a powerful cultural project that brings together food, memory, and identity—offering comfort during illness and end-of-life.
The book features personal recipes like maize porridge, Caribbean fish soup, and Trinidadian pilau—each a reflection of love, healing, and family.
This project was made possible through a rich collaboration with:
Dr. Jane Lavery
Lucy Green
Dr. Jenny Baverstock
Professor Jessica Teeling
Marion Tasker (Hospice UK)
Karla Buck, an illustrator
Carla Stuart, an artist
And 18 incredible community contributors
We shared this work through movement workshops, conversations, and a joyful community lunch celebrating the themes of care, food, and dignity in death.