Pinoy National Artist BenCab holds exhibit in Kuala Lumpur

Philippine National Artist for visual arts Benedicto "BenCab" Reyes Cabrera’s paintings are on display in Malaysia in the “Hands Accross the Water” joint art exhibit that runs from July 13 to July 25.   The exhibit is being held at White Box, MAP@Publika at the Publika Shopping Mall in Kuala Lumpur, a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Cabrera showcased eight paintings in the exhibit, the DFA said.   Aside from BenCab's artworks, those featured in the exhibit were the works of Malaysian artist Ahmad Zakii Anwar and Mexican sculptor Enrique "Sebastian" Carbajal. BenCab and Anwar recently stayed for two weeks in Mexico under the auspices of Sebastian's organization, the Fundacion Sebastian. Curator Peter Frank said, "Distinguished painter-draughtsman from the Philippines and Malaysia visited with a renowned Mexican sculptor for a whirlwind but productive two weeks..." Frank said BenCab and Anwar "gained inspiration from the people, history, and landscape in whose midst they had suddenly dropped, and returned to their homelands to work as they has before, armed with more grist for their visual mills..."   PHL Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, who attended the exhibit, said “BenCab has showcased his mastery of contemporary art, and showed that he is one of the eminent artists in Southeast Asia.  His paintings have creatively illustrated Mexican life in his own familiar style.” The other attendees included Mexican Ambassador to Malaysia Jorge Alberto Lozoya, PHL Third Secretary and Vice Consul Johann Veronica Andal, Cultural Attaché Helen Grace Cuisia and art enthusiasts. Master of contemporary Philippine art According to the profile on his website, BenCab is hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art. Born in Manila on April 10, 1942, BenCab studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines and graduated in 1963. A painter and printmaker, his works have been exhibited in the Philippines and in Asia, Europe, and the United States. During the past 40 years, BenCab has won several major art awards, including:

• the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining (Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for the Arts) in 1992, and
• the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanan Palace in 2006.

BenCab's works have been the subject of three books:

• Ben Cabrera: Etchings (1970-1980) by Cid Reyes;
• Bencab’s Rock Sessions by Eric Caruncho; and
• BENCAB by Alfred Yuson and Cid Reyes.

BenCab lives and works in Baguio City. The artist has three children:

• Elisar (born in 1971), a filmmaker based in London;
• Mayumi (born in 1973), a model and actress currently living in Los Angeles, and
• Jasmine (born in 1977), a fashion stylist working in London.

- with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News