High-intensity surfaces, full-tilt colors, and the melding of abstract and geometric forms characterize the works of Benjie Cabangis.

In “Tales of Topography,” Cabangis’ newest solo, compositions are seemingly independent of scale—small collages become large paintings—and color, shape and subject matter are combined to create an abstract topographical space.

It is his gestural painting which is very notable. “(It) can be described as lyrical fluency,” writes art writer Grace Ng. “The artworks have their own distinctive feeling and often contain sensitive detailed markings that have been directly engraved and incorporated. All of Cabangis’ works are engaged with the topography of surface, a materialization of his trademark texture.”

According to University of the Philippines fine art professor Ruben DF Defeo, “Benjie Cabangis walks his viewers to an awesome world of colors, shapes and textures, artistic concerns and impetus that he has wondrously harnessed in his art making for decades now. For his latest art concoction, the artist brews into the creative cauldron huge and generous servings of studied arbitrariness, spicing the foray by directly confronting the very materiality of his chosen medium, acrylic.”

Born in 1957, Cabangis is one of the country’s top and most respected abstractionists. He received the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Award in 1978 and is a full professor at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.

“Tales of Topography” is on view until Dec. 10 at Galerie Joaquin, 2/F, UP Town Center, Quezon City; artist’s reception is on Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Tel. 82471109; email [email protected]