MORTEM

Here rests a wanderer,
a symphony of light and dark,
the creative mind that tirelessly
strived to connect
the living + the dead
from no place or time
— of many unlike most

OFFICIAL MEMBER

ABOUT

Jay Davani, is Providence's first death influencer. She is a death curious artist, speaker + experienced Death Cafés facilitator, based in Rhode Island born in Tehran, Iran. She has enthusiasm for talking about death + dying with high ethical standards.

Jay completed Ayatana's Death Residency at a death positive thanatology school for artists + studied the practical, cultural + existential sides of death + mourning.

She has been a speaker for the North Burial Ground series, NBG Presents, + Biophillum Death Club (based out of Canada) — exploring cemeteries + Persian death ritual through her photography.

Jay has planned funerals, memorials + organized estate clean outs. She actively attends Life + Death Cafés, doula/grief trainings, death book talks + has co-facilitated the Mortem’s Death Café for Artists.

Mortem Death School — Graduate 2022
Santa Muerte — Artist in Residence 2023

DEATH CAFÉ

Death is universal but how different communities + cultures deal with it is unique. Join us for a rare conversation.

The City of Providence presents — Death Café
— a doorway into shared exploration.

WHAT IS A DEATH CAFÉ?
It’s a guided group discussion forum where people come together to talk openly + candidly about the meaning of life, mortality, death, dying, + related topics.

Have you wanted to talk about it but thought it was too weird?
Or had an experience you’d like to share? Even just curious?

The aim of a Death Café is not to provide grief counseling or to promote any particular religious or spiritual beliefs, but rather to encourage honest conversations with the goal of promoting greater awareness + acceptance of death as a natural part of life.

It’s an inclusive, safe, confidential + non-judgmental space where people can share their thoughts, experiences, + questions about death in a respectful + supportive environment.

A place for exchanges + deep listening as well as a space where you can be brave. There’s no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action. Death Café serves our community as a doorway into the shared exploration of our love of life + respect for death.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Death Café is free + open to anyone who wants to talk about death. All are welcome from hospice workers, doulas, the terminally ill, elderly, those experiencing a loss to the death-curious however, this program is recommended for anyone 13 years or older. Ages 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Everyone has their own reasons for getting involved in a Death Café + talking about death won’t kill us!

Death Café takes place monthly in Providence, Rhode Island.
These events are sponsored by Providence City Cemeteries + Community Libraries of Providence + facilitated by artist Jay Davani.

HIRE ME TO FACILITATE

CITY
DEATH CAFÉ

TICKETS

NEXT CAFÉ — 1/TBD/24

LIBRARY
DEATH CAFÉ

TICKETS

NEXT CAFÉ — 1/23/24

Please note — there are no Death Cafés in December 2023.
We will resume in January 2024 with 2 cafés x month.

ARTIST LECTURES

EVENT TICKETS — SOLD OUT!

HIRE ME TO SPEAK

Global Day of Action — Ritual + Revolution
Saturday, September 16 / 2-4:30 pm
RISD Museum / Metcalf Auditorium

Persian artists from the RISD community for a rare opportunity to explore and discuss ritual and revolution at home and abroad.

Provost Touba Ghadessi will introduce an engaging presentation by artist Jay Davani 09 CEC and an interactive discussion with fellow Iranian artists Saman Sajasi 13 PT, Sheida Soleimani, and Maedeh Tafvizi Zavare 24 CR.
Discover the interplay between ancient traditions and modern revolutions, and the hidden narratives that have shaped Iran's dynamic landscape over time.

Explore the cultural exchange and artistic influences that have transcended borders, and engage in meaningful conversations that highlight the universal themes of change, resilience, and transformation.
Light refreshments provided by Shish Kabob will be available following the program. Free. Registration requested.

PHOTOGRAPHY

artist statement

I have been a professional photographer for over 20 years. You can find more about my commercial work here.
I am also available to photography life's most private + intimate moments in death:

hospice + active death
funerals + memorial services
homes, rooms or estate sales
still birth or loss of pregnancy at any term

MY PHOTOGRAPHY

HIRE ME TO SHOOT

WITNESS
is a self portrait series lifting the veil between life + death for
those who have died for freedom. A voice for the voiceless shot
by photographer @thejaydavani born in Tehran, Iran.
All rights reserved. Please share widely.

‎شاهد
شاهد یک سریال پرتره از خود است که حجاب بین زندگی + مرگ را برای کسانی که برای آزادی مرده اند برمی دارد. صدایی برای شات بی صدا توسط عکاس @thejaydavani متولد تهران، ایران. تمامی حقوق محفوظ است. لطفا به طور گسترده به اشتراک بگذارید.