A Visit to The Artist - BenCab Museum

I got my first dose of BenCab's artwork when I was in college. He had an exhibit at the SM Megamall entitled Rock Sessions at that time. I didn't know who he was back then, but I was immediately smitten with his work. So when hubs and I were planning our trip to the City of Pines, BenCab Museum topped our itinerary. 

The modern yet modest facade is a complete opposite of the artist's astonishing oeuvre inside. I like that the museum signage is patterned from the artist's signature.

The astonishing back view of BenCab Museum. The building slopes down from the street level. It has a total of  4 levels - The top level/street level, 2nd & 3rd are the main art gallery levels, and last but not the least, the farm & garden level where Cafe Sabel is located.

TOP LEVEL/STREET LEVEL

Below this extensive Bulol and Ifugao painting is the reception area. We paid PhP 100 for each adult, PhP 80 for each kid and my senior citizen Aunt. We paid extra for the Farm and Garden Eco Trail Tour.

Tapestry art wall hangings of  various colors and designs

Spot the artist: Second one from the right

Beautiful wooden Ifugao furniture made in the 1930s

An extensive display of various bulol sculptures adorn the floor to ceiling wall

Bulol is an Ifugao rice deity carved out of a narra wood. They are believed to be the protectors of the granary and they also represent well-being and wealth. 

An enormous bulol rests comfortably on the second floor staircase landing

LEVEL 2

BENCAB GALLERY: The huge room contains the artist's outstanding pieces. I really wouldn't mind staring at the masterpieces all day long.

Sabel - Ben Cab's most iconic painting of a scavenger which also has an underlying insinuation of life's cruelty.

The paintings popping out of the stark white background. 

  

I was seriously contemplating that day if I could pull a Thomas Crown Affair stunt on one of these marvels. ☺

CORDILLERA GALLERY: "is the repository of the artist’s collection of tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts of the northern Philippine highlands – bulol rice granary gods, functional carved objects like furniture, spoons, bowls, andother utilitarian implements like baskets, as well as the weapons of thenumerous tribes once known for their headhunting rituals."

INDIGO GALLERY: The running art exhibition when we visited was by Marina Cruz entitled "Inside Out." It's an ode to her mother's dress collection.

EROTICA GALLERY: This gallery comes with an advisory because the artworks inside are not fit for minors and might be offensive to some adults. Since my site is kid-friendly, I'll forego posting the pictures.

On the viewing terrace, I found these wonderful creations. A chair and a table made from Ginebra bottles by Russell Maier, Bianca Silva, and Alvin Berto. 

I wanted to try if the chair is sturdy enough but I was hampered by the thought of "if you break it, you buy it" policy. No thanks.   

LEVEL 3

PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 1 

MAESTRO GALLERY

An eco-fashionable terno made from recycled juice containers

This artwork (made from rejected wood carvings) is just screaming for well-deserved attention! Amazing!

Different sizes of "pasiking" (Ifugao backpack)

It is worth checking out the Museum Shop (located on the top floor) before you head home. We bought a couple of souvenirs for family and friends...and for ourselves too, of course. 

"The MUSEUM SHOP sells art books, paper products such aspostcards, and notepads, highland art & crafts such as wood carvings andtextiles as well as other souvenir items from t-shirts, and caps." 

We truly enjoyed our visit to The BenCab Museum and vowed to go back soon! Although we were amazed by the magnificent pieces we saw in the entire museum, our jaws dropped when we got a glimpse of this wonderful artwork by the true Master Artist...

Breathtaking isn't it? This is the view from the terrace on the second level of the museum. Such a great privilege to wake up to this every single day! 

BenCab Museum

www.bencabmuseum.org

Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan Tuba, Benguet, Philippines

Tel. No.: (074) 442-7165

Mobile No.: (0920) 530-1954

Facebook: BenCab Museum

E-mail: bencabartfoundation@gmail.com

Museum Hours: 9am-6pm Tuesdays to Sundays 

                         Closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

REMINDERS:

• Guided tours of the Museum and Gardens may be arranged at the reception.
• Outside food and drinks are not permitted in the Museum. Food and drinks are permitted only in Café Sabel and may not be carried into the galleries or other areas.
• Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Museum.
• Still photography for personal use is permitted. No flash or tripods allowed. Videotaping is permitted in the lobby only. No photographs or videotapes may be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission from the Museum.
• Sketching is permitted in the galleries (pencil only, no ink or paint) with sketchbooks no larger than 8 1/2 x 11 inches (21.6 x 27.9 cm). No easels, stools, or sketching while sitting on the floor is permitted.
• Pets are not allowed in the Museum

HOW TO GET THERE: From Naguilian Rd., go straight until you see this sign...

The sloping road that the red arrow's pointing at is Asin Rd. You'll pass by lots of wood furniture shops and after which, you'll see the BenCab Museum on your left side. The road going to the museum is long and narrow and seemed like it took us forever to reach our destination but it was really worth it.

Thanks for viewing! ☺