In Bronze, BenCab Finds a New Way to See
Courtesy of Gajah Gallery
After more than six decades in art, the National Artist continues to experiment with new mediums, transforming familiar figures and themes into sculptural forms.
Gajah Gallery presents In Honor of Form, the first formal presentation of National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera’s sculptural practice. The exhibition, which opened October 18, features bronze sculptures made in collaboration with Yogya Art Lab (YGL), the gallery’s foundry and production arm.
Although best known for painting and printmaking, the National Artist’s roots in sculpture began at the University of the Philippines, where he studied under sculptor Anastacio Caedo. He also dabbled in the medium during his time in London, where he produced the Scavenger and Larawan series.
When Gajah Gallery offered a collaboration with YGL, BenCab said that he “immediately jumped at the chance.” For the past three years, he has made bronze sculptures at the foundry, including his breakthrough into classic sculpture: the two-meter Sabel sculpture.
BenCab first introduced Sabel in 1966 as a painting. Sabel was a real-life homeless woman and scavenger wandering the streets of Tondo and Bambang, Manila, wrapped in discarded plastic sheets and scrap fabric. Since his encounter with Sabel, she has become a recurring museMuseA person who inspires a designer, photographer, or artist and often becomes the face or embodiment of their creative vision. Famous muses have shaped entire collections and eras of fashion,Go to Muse Glossary throughout his career, as seen in 32 Variations on Isabel in 2008 and Sabel in Blue in 2006.
“One tries to evolve without repeating oneself. That’s the challenge,” he tells Vogue Philippines. “The same subject can develop when you look at the painting again after a period of time. I go back to Sabel as a transition before approaching a new subject.”
This time, the artist is showcasing 10 bronze sculptures, including previous works such as Mother’s Love and Three Muses, which are also recurring themes in his work. The exhibition also showcases a selection of works on loan from the BenCab Museum, further highlighting the subjects and forms that he continues to explore in his artistic practice.
For him, sculpture is a new challenge. Unlike his early experiments in London (which were based on live models), the sculptures he created with Gajah Gallery drew on his two-dimensional paintings. “This exhibition shows the metamorphosis in the change in form or structure. I move forward with more challenging new projects that are exciting and stimulating,” he says.
Even with a career spanning over 60 years, he is determined to keep learning as an artist. “I am still learning new techniques and mediums that were not yet available when I was a young artist and a student in the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines,” he says. “I am always curious about experimenting to see how my art can evolve into something new and different. Any idea can be turned into a work of art.”
In Honor of Form runs at Gajah Gallery until November 22, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benedicto “BenCab” Reyes Cabrera is a master painter, printmaker, and National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts.
BenCab is a National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts known for his figurative paintings and printmaking.
He is best known for his signature Sabel series, the historical Larawan series and socio-political works like Yellow Confetti.
BenCab has received several recognitions throughout the decades: the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts, ASEAN Achievement Award for Visual Arts, Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, and the Thirteen Artists Award. He has also received honorary degrees from the University of the Philippines and the University of the Cordilleras.
Yes, BenCab creates sculptures, including collections such as Series 8: The Muses, Three Muses, Mother’s Love, Lovers, and Reunion.