[Collaboration] Friscos and the Art of Preserving the Sea

With a history spanning more than eight decades, the company founded by the Otero Mariño family has established itself as a benchmark in Spain's canning sector. Located in the picturesque town of Catoira, in the province of Pontevedra, this company has managed to seamlessly merge tradition with innovation, maintaining a profound respect for traditional fishing methods while adopting sustainable practices that reflect its commitment to the environment.

The fourth generation of the family, now leading this emblematic brand, has succeeded in preserving the artisanal essence that distinguishes its products. Each canned item is the result of a careful and meticulous process, ensuring quality, freshness, and authentic flavor. Alongside its focus on excellence, the company stands out for its consistent effort to reduce environmental impact, fostering a more responsible and sustainable industry—which I find particularly crucial if we wish to continue enjoying the treasures of the marine world while treating them with respect.

The artwork resulting from this collaboration draws direct inspiration from the Galician Rías and the marine life they host, as well as from Conservas Friscos's ethos of respecting tradition and the product itself. I sought to portray the Galician Rías as the backdrop of the canvas, emphasizing textures and details of both the surface and the land beneath those magical waters, also referencing Conservas Friscos’s Fusion Sea-Land line.

The Galician Rías are a profound source of inspiration, brimming with fluid and geometric forms that echo the water's movements and the undulating lines of the rías. I experimented with contrasts between smooth curves and angular shapes to capture the interplay between nature and human structures, such as the traditional rafts used for mussel farming.

In terms of color, I worked with palettes inspired by what I perceive as the tones of the rías, such as deep blues, marine greens, and rocky grays. Textures evoke the rías’ elements—ruggedness for cliffs and smoothness for the tranquil waters.

As for the golden-yellow elements, you might have already guessed their significance: mussels and scallops are true gastronomic treasures of Galicia, with a long tradition of fishing and farming in the rías. I aimed to represent these through golden-yellow hues, symbolizing seafood and fish, including tuna. This color also evokes the soft gold of beaches and the orange hues of sunsets. Through stylized and abstract strokes, I sought to symbolize the forms of mussels, scallops, and tuna in an abstraction of marine life.

I’ve also kept in mind the connection between the sea and the land. Although the land is not widely depicted—since I’ve focused on capturing this scene from an aerial perspective and the land is not directly visible—we know it’s there, beneath all the marine life. I wanted to convey the sense of respect for everything hidden in the mysterious marine world, along with the melancholy and serenity these landscapes inspire. I aimed to reflect a bit of these emotions through the lines, colors, and overall composition.

Conservas Friscos provided me with a selection of their most emblematic canned products, including tuna belly, mussels, scallops, and the Fusion Sea-Land line. I invite you to explore my experience tasting these delights and drawing inspiration from them. As I always say, this is a subjective opinion, which may not necessarily align with other people’s descriptions or personal experiences:

The Fusion Sea-Land line from Conservas Friscos is an innovative proposition that combines the best of the sea with select ingredients from the land, housed in eco-friendly “Eco-Fácil” packaging. These products are crafted to offer a unique and complete gastronomic experience between sea and land:

• Tuna in olive oil with black olives: A blend that highlights the intense flavor of the tuna with the salty, rich touch of black olives.

• Tuna in olive oil with green olives: My favorite, as the combination with green olives, though common, works exceptionally well. The smooth texture of the tuna pairs perfectly with the fresh, slightly tangy flavor of the green olives.

• Tuna in olive oil with jalapeños: A bold option that combines the tenderness of tuna with the vibrant heat of jalapeños.

• Tuna in olive oil with sundried tomatoes: A fascinating balance between the freshness of the sea and the concentrated sweetness of sundried tomatoes.

Galician Rías, Condensed and Preserved

Thank you, Conservas Friscos, for this beautiful collaboration—my first focused on the sea and marine life, making it particularly special in this regard. The products were absolutely delicious, and I’ve treated them with as much respect as you do, seeking to reflect this in the artwork in an innovative way.

Friscos not only demonstrates its expertise in canning traditions but also establishes itself as a bridge between family heritage and culinary innovation. From tuna belly to mussels, scallops, and the Fusion line, each product reflects respect for both the sea and the land, captured in authentic flavors that inspire both palate and art. The connection between the Galician Rías and these preserves leaps onto the canvas in a magical way, combining textures, colors, and emotions that celebrate this rich tradition. Conservas Friscos reminds us that, from the sea to the table and from the plate to the art, there’s a journey full of respect, history, and creativity.

More information about the "Conservas Friscos" and its entire offering, here.