Benedicto Reyes Cabrera – also known as BenCab, as he is more popularly known is widely hailed as a

master of contemporary Philippine art.

- He went on to study at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, where he explored
different art visual forms – photography, craftsmanship, printmaking – while honing his chosen craft as a
painter. He received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1963.

- He was the youngest of nine Children. Ben Cab’s first exposure and discovery of the arts happened
through his elder Brother Salvador, who was already an establishes artist during BenCab’s childhood.

BenCab Museum

- The BenCab museum was described as “great museum, awesome view and good food.” It is Number
22 in Top 25 Asia’s Best Museums.

Trivia’s about BenCab

- He was a student of another National Artist

- He was worked with a lot of other artists not only for group exhibitions but also for group paintings and
other art causes.

- “Curiosity. Passion. And making art from life” are the things BenCab find essential for every artist

Sabel by: Ben Cabrera (2008)

- Sabel, one of BenCab’s most recurring and iconic subjects throughout his career, was inspired by a real-
life woman, who travels places and begs for food, that he pictured and sketched in 1965. She has been
the artist’s medium for the expression of moods which are intensely emotional.

- It portrays the life of a beggar which is a common scene in Metro Manila.

(What is seen in the painting is a portrayal of a woman that is wrapped in a fabric-like material that is
almost abstract. With the combination of grays, which is often seen as an unemotional color of
depression, indecisiveness, detachment and humility, is accented by yellows, blues, and orange that
indicate the intense wild assortment of emotions felt by Sabel; but is overall, dominated by silence and
depression. The background is blocked in a plethora of vivid scarlet red which asserts the treatment of
the society towards her as a beggar which conveys ruthless violence and brutality. Even though she is
oppressed by the outside world, she still maintains a solemn face, but her emotion deep within is
expressed by the wrapping cloth.

The material, that wraps sable, is contoured by the rough and sharp organic curves with
intense brush strokes, which communicates a strong sense of emotional distress and violence.

The action formed by the movement of the curves convey of her aspiration and drive to get out of that
bondage; to escape what is keeping her in that state of being oppressed by society.

1. What key or historical events occurred at the time the work was created

2. What scientific discoveries or technological innovations may have influenced the artist?

3. What were the other artistic influences on the work?

-Although known for his abstract and minimalist contemporary art, he also support activities related to
the arts and the environment, and tries to lift Indigenous people in any way possible.

4. What were the philosophical ideas of the time that informed the artwork?

5. What were the cultural influences?

- ait shows how they strive hard to survive and to take care of themselves.

6. Who were the intended audience?

- Filipinos.

7. Is the artist identified with a particular movement, school or style?

- Sabel is a minimalistic contemporary work, and an abstract painting.

8. What was the original purpose of the work?

–
- He was encouraged to pursue a career in the Arts and, end his five year long job in the magazine. After
that he started painting professionally and had his first solo exhibition at the Gallery Indigo in Malate,
Manila.

1. What was the original purpose of the work?