Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist

ABOUT THE WORK

Over the span of decades, the esteemed National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera has brought forth numerous ethereal representations of Sabel. These depictions are a far cry from the initial impression the artist had upon encountering her during his youth, glimpsing her through a window. Sabel's transformation from those early days is remarkable— originally spotted by the artist in the alleyways of Bambang, clad in plastic coverings and scavenging amidst garbage receptacles. From these humble beginnings, BenCab harnessed Sabel's presence as a wellspring of creative impetus. His artistic explorations of Sabel's essence transcended surface appearances, delving into her inner fortitude. BenCab's approach differed strikingly from the prevalent "male gaze" typical of hypermasculine portrayals of women by other artists. Instead, he opted for a veneration of Sabel, spotlighting her resilience from a reverent standpoint. Through his distinctive perspective, he unveiled the depth and strength that radiated from her being. But even depictions of the icon herself would change and shift within the mind of BenCab himself. Here we see the common visual cue and elements associated with Sabel, yet their form has seemingly departed from BenCab’s initial renderings. What first began as a relatively more intimate and even social affair has blossomed into an inquiry into form and technique. Such a reading coincides with another major series for BenCab, his Larawan series. The aforementioned series of work coincides with an artistic practice that puts a work's technique and form at the forefront. (Jed Daya)