Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, collaborates with Nuyorican artist Dave Ortiz to showcase “The Goya Series” pop art collection in celebration of Goya’s 80th anniversary.
“The Goya Series,” a collection of 14 silkscreens of Goya products, is part of a larger heritage project conceptualized by Dave Ortiz that celebrates the artist’s nostalgic family connection growing up with Goya. Unlike any other American food company, Goya evokes memories for nearly every Puerto Rican and person of Latin heritage. What started as a playful exploration of Boricua heritage in the face of American pop art has become a very personal project for the artist in the review and analysis of his own life and cultural heritage. The story behind the series compliments the artist’s rich Puerto Rican culture, family traditions, and the essence of what Goya has always represented. “We are honored and so proud that Dave Ortiz paid homage to the memories of his mother’s cooking and the legacy of Goya through his artistic talents,” says Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods. “Many Latinos can resonate with Dave’s story because for 80 years Goya has not just become another food brand, but an iconic institution and symbol for the Hispanic community.”
Artist Dave Ortiz worked closely with Goya Foods to design the Goya float for the Puerto Rican Day Parade as well as 11 additional cultural parades Goya participates in throughout the year. Featured motives on the float will include images of Goya’s Habichuelas Coloradas, Adobo, Malta, Olive Oil, Sofrito, Garbanzos, Frijoles Negros and Salsa de Tomate. The artist has also designed an exclusive t-shirt in celebration of “The Goya Series” that will be worn and given away during the parades and on Goya’s Facebook page.
“Growing up I was always the black bean in my Boricua family of red beans. I was the artist, my brothers played baseball. When I started my silkscreen print residency in early 2015 I jokingly made a Puerto Rican Andy Warhol - Frijoles Negros. All these memories came up and after speaking with my mom I decided to silk screen the main menu ingredients of my childhood,” says Dave Ortiz. “Ultimately "The Goya Series" turned into a larger heritage project about my Boricua roots, Hispanic community and its cultural context. I am very excited to see my art on the Goya Float in the Puerto Rican Day Parade.”
About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; Goya’s combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com
About Dave Ortiz: Dave Ortiz is a New York artist of Puerto Rican descent. Ortiz works primarily in painting, silkscreen printing and drawings. He is considered one to look out for among the new generation of American Hispanic artists who found his voice first in street art. His work focuses on heritage and cultural assimilation topics and he can be described as a colorist. His art has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in the domestic US and internationally. His work is in many private collections.