_exhibits

Since time immemorial, artists from all over the world have held a deep fascination for the human figure. Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto "Bencab" Cabrera is no exception.

"The human figure, especially that of a woman, is always an interesting form to render (into an artwork)," he said.

From June 20 to July 3, 2008, Singapore will have the opportunity to view a select sampling of these renderings through an exhibition entitled "Bencab: Nude Drawings." The exhibition organized by Art Sentral Asia will feature about 25 recent nude drawings on paper. To be held at Substation, Home for the Arts, a book of the same title will also be launched during the exhibition's opening reception. The book is written by Alfred Yuson and published by Manila-based publishing house Anvil.

"The book is a continuation of this still-growing collection of same-size format as my previous two books Artists always come out with coffee table books that are so large, difficult to carry and so expensive to buy. This one is smaller – measuring 10.5" x 7.5" and more affordable," Bencab explained.

"Bencab: Nude Drawings" is his third publication of this size. The first two were entitled "Ben Cabrera: Etchings" by Cid Reyes and "Bencab's Rock Sessions" by Eric Caruncho.

The Singaporean art market is hardly a stranger to Bencab's art. He has exhibited in the Lion City several times before. Among his recent shows was a stint with the Singapore Tyler Print Institute. He served as an artist-in-residency for four weeks.

Collaborating with the STPI staff of printmakers and papermakers, the result was a breathtaking collection of paper-pulp paintings and mixed media mono prints that eventually became one of the Tyler Institute's most successful exhibitions. New and long-time collectors all trooped to the Tyler to snap up his works which would otherwise be immediately available to his growing international market.

Bencab began his career as a lyric expressionist in the mid-sixties. His work, featuring scavengers emerging from dark landscapes, served as a vehicle for social protest. His Sabel series, inspired by a bag lady he once saw roaming the streets of Manila, became the personification of poverty and inequity in the country.

The Larawan series highlighted the country's colonial past and the continued search for identity combined with the realities of the present and the fears for the future. Here, the emotional turmoil of a nation of migrants struggling with the onslaught of diverse world cultures are explored from the eyes of an artist who, himself, have experience living away from his home country for a lengthy period of time.

Bencab was named National Artist in 2006. It is the highest honor given to a Filipino artist, conferred by no less than the President of the Philippines.

"Bencab: Nude Drawings" will run until July 3. It will also feature Bencab's personal collection of lime containers locally known as tabayag and the launching of a book also called "Tabayag" which focuses on this collection

The exhibition and book launch is brought to you by Art Sentral Asia and supported by PSA International, Larasati Auctioneers, Unilever Asia, Department of Tourism of the Philippines, 7107 Flavours, Pen Travel Service, Good News Pilipinas, Asian Art News and Charlton Media Group.

For more info log on to Art Sentral Asia, email us at artsentralasia@yahoo.com or call us at +65 97344839.