Contemporary art refers to art created today, and there are seven different types of art,

including painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, cinema, music, and theater. Although there
is incredible talent in all the different art forms, I am most in awe of the paintings that our Filipino
artists, in particular, produce.

I've already stated that the painting and its creator are what I admire the most, and the reason
for that is that they are both things that I am unable to do or, even if I tried, am not particularly
talented at. Painting is one method of expressing your feelings and emotions, and it's what
comes to mind when we think of art.

I looked up a well-known figurative painter from the Philippines, Benedicto Cabrera, also known
as BenCab.

BenCab, also known as Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, was born on April 10, 1942. He was
recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts in 2006 and is a Filipino painter.
As the "arguably best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists," he has received praise.

In his paintings, figures are frequently wrapped in flowing fabrics in muted tones and earthy
color palettes. Portrait of Caroline, Sabel in Blue, Yellow Confetti, Mysterious Woman, Edo
Gesture, and many other of his works became well-known.

Portrait of Sabel in Blue Yellow Confetti Mysterious Edo Gesture

Caroline Woman

But, above all of his incredible artworks, what drew my attention the most was "Crisis in
Humanity," which is about the title itself humanity or humanitarian crisis and it covers a lot such
as a singular event or a series of events that are threatening in terms of the health, safety, or
well-being of a community or large group of people.

Charcoal on paper
“As the exhibition had a human rights theme, I agreed to be part of an exhibition of large
drawings that is currently on in the Vargas Museum. The title of my drawing is ‘Crisis in
Humanity',” he explained.

BenCab used charcoal on paper, and what inspired him to do so or to create that artwork is that
he supports Human Rights and has joined Karapatan, which supports Human Rights, and that is
his artwork in hand.

BenCab's artwork "Crisis in Humanity" and my interpretation of it are similar. Despite the crisis
and pandemic in the Philippines, he is still standing and using his painting talent to raise
awareness of this issue. And this art contributes to the modern world by educating people and
standing up for what is right, which is Human Rights.

REFERENCES:

https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/crisis-in-humanity/m

https://www.artnet.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/edo-gesture-6V2gYUwLWjahWnP3m8eMBA2

https://www.artnet.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/mysterious-woman-fb6SOtdzp2rTMO4vFS3LE
A2

https://www.artnet.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/yellow-confetti-WxibwlgMZ729iNLJ839hyg2

https://www.artnet.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/sabel-in-blue-MrkClx92u0O6QXG3Ne4J1w2

https://ocula.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/#:~:text=Benedicto%20Cabrera%2C%20better
%20known%20as,tones%20and%20earthy%20colour%20palettes

https://www.google.com/search?
sa=X&hl=en&q=Portrait+of+Caroline&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLSz9U3MIsvN6g0UQKzs5
MsjeLTtZSyk630yzKLSxNz4hOLSpCYmcUlVuX5RdnFi1hFAvKLSooSM0sU8tMUnBOL8nMy81I
BB5ouN1UAAAA&ved=2ahUKEwiu6qiVxd_7AhWE0HMBHS4qAh0Qtq8DegQIGRAD&biw=136
6&bih=667&dpr=1

https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/works-of-ben-cab