PROPERTY FROM THE EUGENIO M. LÓPEZ JR. COLLECTION

Provenance: Provenance: Private Collection, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

Benedicto Cabrera’s Variations on Sabel exemplifies the universal and timeless imagery of his iconic subject-matter. Inspired by a photograph of a real-life scavenger BenCab took in the 1960s, this particular piece showcases BenCab’s earlier encounters with his famed muse. Each frame features Sabel as an obscure subject, enveloped by a mix of garments and plastic. Here her shyness and timidity are on full display, capturing the reserved nature of Sabel as she goes about her day-to-day activities. By doing so, BenCab effectively translates reality into a carefully constructed metaphor that speaks volume of both his artistic skill, and the human condition at large. Aside from Sabel, the piece also contains another important aspect of BenCab’s iconic visual canon; his use of the drape. Through his use of the drape, BenCab is able to imbue his works with a sense of movement and vitality as flowing lines and meticulously shaded figures intermingle to give an impression of movement. It is this very technique that undoubtedly brings his works to life; allowing the viewer to not only connect with the piece but to experience it as well.