The BenCab Museum
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Is it too much to say that I dream of a nail art museum? I think that would be wonderful. I hope my work will be displayed there if deemed worthy by the curators. This post however, is not about nail art. But it is about a museum in Benguet, Philippines called the Bencab Museum. It's about 20 minutes by cab from Baguio City in moderate traffic.
Who is Bencab?
BenCab is how Filipino contemporary artist/painter Benedicto Reyes Cabrera is more popularly known and is how he signs his paintings. He was awarded National Artist of the Philippines in 2006 for Visual Arts. He spent some years settled in London to raise a family and simultaneously, his work gained international recognition and fame. In 1985, BenCab returned to the Philippines after a divorce and decided to live in Baguio. His paintings became renowned here and abroad. His career continues to grow as he consistently gathers prestigious awards and holds exhibits in various countries.
Inside the BenCab Museum
The Bencab Museum is actually a series of galleries that showcases Ben Cabrera's paintings, his collections, and contemporary works of several Filipino artists.
As an artist, our trip to here during the Baguio Food Tour 2014 was one of the events that I looked forward to. Here are some of the works that personally struck me inside the museum:
32 Variations of Sabel by BenCab
The 32 Variations of Sabel is a glaze painting by BenCab on Mariwasa tiles that sits on one of the patios of the museum. This is the ONLY painting that visitors can touch. Initially, it looked like doodles. We were asked to step back a little so we can appreciate it as a whole. I hope I can doodle like this!
69
There is an Erotica Gallery inside the BenCab Museum and it houses paintings and sculptures that depicts the sensual. This 69 position is just one of the things you can see in the room. How fascinating that it can be an inspiration for a bench design. I was very curious of this gallery when I read about it in a newspaper article displayed at the receiving area.
Bulong-bulungan by Joy Mallari
The Bulong-bulugan is an oil on canvas (91.5 x 152.5 cms) painting by Joy Mallari completed in 2009. I found it interesting because it looked like a collage of "selfies"! But what is fascinating is the fact that the painting contains 60 portraits in total or 15 people illustrated with different facial expressions. Oh, can you spot the oreo cookie?
Crown Him King by Joey Cobcobo
Have you ever been told whenever you walk inside an art gallery to take your time on each painting/artwork? Well, that advise is very suitable to this painting by Joey Cobcobo entitled Crown Him King, painted on a 174 x 174 cms canvas using mixed media. I wasn't able to see the crowned king at first glance. I saw part of a face with grinding teeth and an elongated neck. But as you stare at it more carefully, you'll see a king, head down with arms stretched to the sides. I like paintings like this. The excitement is unraveling what lies underneath the obvious.
Bulol Installtion
Numerous Bulol sculptures are evident inside the BenCab Museum. In fact, a large wall is dedicated to display the National Artist's Bulol collection. Our guide explained that the Bulol means "rice god" in Ifugao. There are many types of Bulol. Each is a carved wooden human figurine and is believed to have powers of certain ancient spirits. They are worshiped for a bounty harvest, wealth, or good health. Bulols have genders too and are distinctively recognized because of they are carved with sex symbols. The BenCab Museum have a good number of Bulols. Make sure you have a guide with you to properly appreciate or understand each one.
Sabel
This is one of BenCab's paintings of Sabel, his iconic muse. Beside the painting, it read:
Sabel ... BenCab's Iconic Muse
by Rene Guatlo
This vagrant woman is one of the best-known muses of the artist's storied career. In her plainness, he saw beauty; in her anonymity, he saw an individual person who chose to live as she saw fit; in her weakness, he saw her native wit and strength. It is a tribute to BenCab that what he saw, what he painted, are what endure.
Size 10
The artist's perspective in this painting is what attracted me to include this in this article -- top view. I spent a few minutes to figure what the painting portrayed before it occurred to me that it was a man buying a pair of shoes! I thought it was unique and interesting. This was titled Size 10, painted by Daniel Dansoy Coquillo using oil on canvas.
Tradition and Religion by Jordan Mang-Osan
Photo credit to The Traveling Panda
Now this Tradition and Religion by Jordan Mang-Osan is fascinating to me because of the technique used. This is a solar drawing/painting on plywood. The artist used the heat of the sun and a magnifying glass to create this artwork. Up close, you'd notice the etches on the wood. He used acrylic paint for color. Amazing art medium!
Portrait of a Man from Cordillera by Raymond Halili
I love painting nail art and it's a challenge drawing on a very small canvas. But Raymond Halili painted this Portrait of a Man from Cordillera on a 4.5 x 3.5 cms canvas with so much detail! He used watercolor and gold dust for this masterpiece. It reminded me of postage stamps. I wonder if he worked with a magnifying glass when he paints.
Temptation of Juan dela Cruz by BenCab
Temptation of Juan dela Cruz by BenCab was amusing to me particularly because of the Juan's body language and facial expression. This painting looks sexy in a classy way.
Group picture with BenCab
We were on our way out when we spotted National Artist Ben Cabrera, himself! We asked if we could take a picture with him. It was an honor to see him during our visit. Behind us is one of the Bulol from his collection.
For refreshments, there is Cafe Isabel located inside the museum. They serve meals and coffee.
Information:
Address: No. 91, Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines 2603
Operating Hours: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Open daily except during Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Year)
Admission Fee: Php100 or Php80 for students and senior citizens with valid I.D.
Landline: +63.74.4427165
Mobile: +63.9205301954
Facebook: bencabmuseum
Website: www.bencabmuseum.org
Disclosure: BenCab Museum is one of the official sponsors of the Baguio Food Tour 2014. Thank you very much for the wonderful learning experience.