Sagrada Família

as Community-based Artist

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015

"Sagrada Família" (Sacred Family) is a project deeply rooted in the concept of home—what it means to feel at home, and who we choose to welcome into our personal spaces. When I first embarked on this venture, I encountered skepticism and even suspicion from the local community. Initially mistaken for a police undercover, and later thought to be a tax inspector, I faced closed doors and wary residents. For instance, one neighborhood local initially refused to sell me her homemade ice creams, as she didn't recognize me and feared I was there on official business.

Over time, however, these barriers broke down. Three years into the project, I found myself embraced by the community, invited to weddings, birthday parties, and baptisms. These once strangers, invited me into their homes, allowing the family portrait process to unfold naturally, accommodating families of various sizes and compositions, sometimes capturing only parts of families at their request. The portraits, once framed, were gifted back to the families. This gesture completed a circle, returning the captured family moments back to where they belonged—home.
This project was a testament to the bonds formed over time, transforming an outsider into a cherished guest, and ultimately, a family historian.

More info here: https://youtu.be/vhMKGt1EqvY?si=1nF1nbrBvy6TECxa