Installing this ofrenda is a performative act that transcends space: it unfolds in public and private, domestic and institutional, individual and communal, national and international settings.

Through this practice, I see the interconnectivity of the Quinte community as we remember our loved ones and create a living art memory. The installation aims to bring the Quinte community together to honour and remember our 2SLGBTQ+ members—those who have passed and those who continue to shape our world. The ofrenda’s ephemeral existence echoes the transient nature of memory and presence, connecting us to those we remember and those we mourn. Every year, as altars return, I feel the unbroken chain of tradition passed down through generations, conquering time. For me, building an ofrenda is an act of resilience, survival, ritual, and joy—a celebration of our community’s enduring spirit.

The heart of this art installation is the public's presence. During the opening reception, I performed rituals—lighting candles, adding water to the bowls, and chanting in memory of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. The audience is also invited to light an LED candle and place it closer to the frame to honour a family member who is no longer with us. Through these gestures, this ofrenda pushes back against death itself by honouring and remembering those in our community who came before, and celebrating those who continue the fight for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. I remember them as friends, family, and fellow travellers on this journey. This installation won the 2024 Craft Ontario Community Award.