Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions where people come together and celebrate the life, death, and memory of their loved ones.

In honor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Día de los Muertos with Dudamel concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mexico City-based graphic artist and art director Juan Manuel Nares designed a limited-edition collection of posters, shirts, and tote bags that capture the spirit of this special occasion.

For Nares, one of the most beautiful ways to get immersed into the Día de los Muertos tradition is to walk around the flower market in Mexico City.

Mountains of cempasúchil flowers flood the aisles as sellers and buyers get ready to honor the people they’ve lost. During the holiday, families often pay homage to their ancestors with altars, decorating them with candles, papel picado, photographs, and these fresh flowers.

In his design, Nares created an explosion of color by surrounding Gustavo Dudamel with bright orange, purple, yellow, and white flowers. Monarch butterflies also adorn the artwork, representing the departed souls who have fluttered back for their annual reuniting with the living.

More about the artist:

Juan Manuel Nares is an art director, graphic designer, and illustrator artist based in Mexico City. His work is strongly influenced by cinema, music, and fashion. The Ford commissioned artwork for its 2023 Canciones de Mi Madre concert, but this is his first collaboration for an orchestral concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel.