Music beyond the end
Between 2016 and 2018, I documented Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Lima, Peru, exploring how two cultures honor the memory of their departed. Each year, I witnessed communities come together in rituals that keep the presence of their loved ones alive—not physically, but spiritually and emotionally. What drew my attention was the role of music—present in both countries, yet expressed in distinctly different ways. In Peru, the atmosphere was often celebratory, marked by vibrant sounds and communal gatherings. In Mexico, the tone leaned more intimate and solemn, with deeply symbolic altars and quieter acts of remembrance. These contrasts spoke to broader cultural nuances, which I aimed to capture through a photojournalistic lens with a fine art sensibility. This series is a visual reflection on tradition, memory, and the ways belief systems shape how we process absence. While each country has its own language of mourning and celebration, there are moments where their customs intersect—revealing shared human connections in how we honor those who are no longer with us.
