From the exhibition text:

Sobremesa is a Spanish word that literally translates to “over the table” and refers to the time spent lingering at the table once a meal has ended, as conversations stretch long after the plates have been cleared.

In many Spanish and Latin American households, where meals are viewed as opportunities for connection, this space is often where children get to know their elders by listening to the stories of their past. It is where customs and family recipes are passed down. Where we learn the importance of listening intently, of looking people in the eye when they’re telling a story, and where we learn to tell stories ourselves.

Food and conversation go hand in hand. The sobremesa reminds us that memory, language and storytelling are just as essential to sustaining a community as food is to sustaining the body. Everyone has something to bring to the table, and every gathering is made richer by the people who share in it.

This table is for everyone. No matter where you come from, or what language you speak, there is a place for you to sit, and linger for as long as you need.