‘My Sad Republic’ by BenCab, ink and acrylic on handmade paper, 73 x 52.7 c.m. (2011)The National Artist’s reminder that ‘the fight is not yet over’BenCab, National Artist for Visual Arts has unveiled his latest exhibition, Ode to the Flag, at the Gallery Indigo of BenCab Museum in Baguio City.Throughout history, flags, banners, pennants and insignia have identified armies and personalities, and eventually nations in times of war and peace. The Philippine flag has also evolved, from the establishment of the Katipunan, the revolutions against Spain and the United States that followed, and the years afterwards.In 1975, the young artist Benedicto Cabrera made an etching, “Untitled (Philippine Flag),” which featured the national flag. During the same era, he painted an image of the patriot Macario Sakay partly as remembrance of the revolutionary era of the nation.In Ode to the Flag, BenCab returns to the same revolution and flag—draped, wrapped and displayed with the likes of Andres Bonifacio, remembered for instigating the war of independence, as well as other personalities. In many of the works, the flag is draped on anonymous human forms that are not seen, suggesting the countless, nameless Filipinos who fought for freedom.After more than a century since the revolution against colonial powers, and almost 70 years since independence, BenCab’s Ode to the Flag is a reminder to the Filipino people that the fight is not yet over, and suggests that our flag, as yet, does not fly in skies that are truly free.Ode to the Flag is part of “BenCab 50 Creative Years,” the yearlong celebration of the prominent Filipino’s 50th year as artist. He mounts it for country in time for Flag Day, celebrated on May 28, and for today’s 117th Philippine Independence Day of the PhilippinesAlso on view at BenCab Museum’s Print Gallery is a complementary exhibit titled World War II Soldiers in the Philippines, prints by Dan Dizon. The show is comprised of 27 signed, limited edition prints of the original watercolors executed by the artist in the 1990s, from his childhood recollection of the war.Dan Dizon was a precocious and observant child who experienced the ravages of war in his native Pampanga. Born in 1930, his artistic talent was nurtured at a very young age by his father, art professor Vicente Alvarez Dizon. Through his young life, the artist was inspired by his father’s art and his patriotism to his country.During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, some Japanese officers noticed Dizon’s artistic talent and supplied him with art materials to encourage him to draw. They also posed for him in their crisp uniforms and shiny firearms. The artist discovered he could also draw detailed military equipment and vehicles from memory.Dizon is a graduate of the University of the Philippines’ College of Fine Arts, where he was a consistent university scholar. He lives and works in Angeles City, Pampanga.Ode to the Flag will be on view until August 2, while World War II Soldiers in the Philippines will run until June 30.The BenCab Museum is located at Km. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, Metro Baguio. It is open daily except Mondays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details, call (074) 4427165 or 0920-5301954; email bencabartfoundation@gmail.com; or visit www.bencabmuseum.org.
