CCP art collection debuts at BenCab Museum with dual exhibitions

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has partnered with the BenCab Museum to present two new exhibitions, Visions on Paper and Chronicles in Ink: Philippine Printmaking through the Decades. These exhibitions, held at the BenCab Museum’s Sepia Gallery and Gallery Indigo, respectively, will be on view until September.

The traveling exhibitions highlight significant works by Filipino visual artists from the CCP 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) Collection. Organized by the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division, with support from the BenCab Museum, this initiative aims to make the collection more accessible to a broader audience while the CCP Main Theater Building undergoes rehabilitation.

Visions on Paper, at the Sepia Gallery, features selected works by National Artists of the Philippines. The exhibition focuses on quieter forms of abstraction, portraiture, and rhythmic composition, showcasing the creative process of artists through works on paper. Notable pieces include a self-portrait by BenCab, National Artist for Visual Art, and inscriptions by National Artist for Literature Amado Hernandez on a wooden fan belonging to National Artist for Theater and Music Atang de la Rama.

Chronicles in Ink, displayed in Gallery Indigo, offers a comprehensive view of contemporary Philippine printmaking, with works spanning from the 1950s to the 2010s. This exhibition underscores the diverse artistic expressions and contributions of Filipino artists across generations.

The exhibitions feature works by National Artists such as Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Felipe de Leon, Atang dela Rama, Victorio Edades, Amado Hernandez, Jose Joya, Arturo Luz, H.R. Ocampo, and Guillermo Tolentino, along with pieces from other notable artists including Jose Garcia Villa, Ambie Abaño, Raymundo Albano, and more.

In addition to the exhibitions, CCP and BenCab Museum will host public programs, including guided tours and printmaking workshops in collaboration with the Association of Pinoyprintmakers. These programs aim to enhance public understanding and appreciation of Philippine art and culture.

Both exhibitions opened on Aug. 3 at the BenCab Museum. Visions on Paper at Sepia Gallery runs until Sept. 1 while Chronicles in Ink at Gallery Indigo will be available until Sept. 29. For updates, follow the official social media accounts of CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division (CCP VAMD) and BenCab Museum on Facebook and Instagram.