Pinoy artist in Adelaide's 'One Hundred Cans of Resilience' unlocks memories from home

Peter Francisco's first artwork, 'One Hundred Cans of Resilience' features a hundred cans of spicy sardines that his family of five shared when his parents didn't have enough money for food. The limited edition artwork sold-out early this year and was bought by patrons from different parts of the world. Credit: Peter Francisco

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A can of spicy sardines was all his family of five could share when they fell on hard times; this was the story behind Pinoy artist Peter Francisco's 'One Hundred Cans of Resilience'.

Key Points

For Peter Francisco, each canned good unlocks memories from home and the life he lived in Laguna, Philippines.
Sardines was shared during times when they did not have enough money for meals while, fruit cocktail was a celebratory canned good shared during birthdays and fiestas.
For Peter Francisco, a can of sardines symbolises Filipino resilience as it was the first thing most Filipinos share during hard times.
Hi solo exhibit 'De Lata' opens 10 October in Adelaide.

The company Ligo Sardines came across his initial work, 'One Hundred Cans of Resilience' and gifted his family in Laguna one hundred cans of Ligo Sardines; 'it was too much! We shared the hundred cans with our neighbours' shares Peter Francisco. Credit: Peter Francisco

For Filipinos living abroad, opening a can of de lata or canned good of sardines or corned beef is like opening or unlocking memories from home.
Peter Francisco, artist, De Lata

'Canned goods from the Philippines are like comfort food; my comfort food is hot and spicy Century Tuna. I have it when I miss home.' Peter Francisco, Adelaide-based Filipino artist, De Lata Credit: Peter Francisco