Ruston Banal
Visual Anthropologist, Artist & Educator
An interdisciplinary artist and scholar seamlessly integrating art, academic inquiry, and cultural advocacy to illuminate marginalized narratives and tackle contemporary challenges.
The Man Behind the Lens
Ruston Banal’s work is profoundly shaped by his deep roots in Kapampangan culture and a rigorous, multi-disciplinary education that spans the globe from the Philippines to the United Kingdom. This foundation provides the critical framework for his entire career.
🎓 Academic Foundations
Banal holds a Fine Arts degree from the **University of the Philippines Diliman**, majoring in Art History. He furthered his studies with a dual-degree PG Cert and MA in Designing Education from **Miriam College and Goldsmiths, University of London**, where he specialized in design thinking. This unique combination of art history and design theory allows him to bridge traditional practice with innovative, problem-solving methodologies.
🇵🇭 Cultural Roots
Born in Pampanga, Banal’s “great passion” for his Kapampangan heritage is the consistent thread weaving through his art and advocacy. After returning to his hometown of Betis in 2006, he has dedicated his work to exploring local narratives, from the history of woodcarving traditions in his thesis to documenting deeply rooted cultural celebrations like “Kuraldal.”
A Journey of Acclaim
From his hometown in the Philippines to the art capitals of the world, Banal’s career is marked by significant milestones in artistic creation, academic contribution, and international recognition. This timeline highlights key moments in his professional journey.
The Portfolio
Banal’s artistic practice is a rich tapestry of mediums, moving from documentary photography to conceptual new media art. Each project serves as a critical exploration of culture, media, and representation. Click on any work to learn more about its story and significance.
Philosophy & Advocacy
At the core of Banal’s work is a critical awareness of the power of images. He actively critiques the sensationalism of media and champions a more authentic, ethical approach to visual storytelling, grounded in his deep-seated cultural advocacy and a commitment to social justice.
He critiques the “mediatization” and “sensationalism” of cultural rituals, observing how they can be transformed into a “commodity” and a “performance-as-spectacle,” which “reduces the authenticity of the practice.”
His artistic evolution represents a conscious move away from what he describes as the “oftentimes predatory approach of the technologies and modalities of practice in photography,” seeking a more authentic and interpretive representation.
Educator & Innovator
Beyond his art, Banal makes a significant impact as an educator and a pioneer in emerging fields. He has shaped minds at leading Philippine universities and is now at the forefront of combating digital misinformation through his work in image forensics.
A Nexus of Expertise
Ruston Banal’s career is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary knowledge. His expertise is not siloed but integrated, allowing him to approach complex cultural and social issues from multiple perspectives. This chart illustrates the key disciplines that form the pillars of his work.
🔍 Fighting Misinformation
In an era of digital propaganda, Banal leverages his skills for social justice. His project, **”Image Design: Critical Image Analysis,”** developed at Goldsmiths, teaches individuals how to recognize and analyze manipulated images using open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools.
This initiative is a direct response to “image-based networked propaganda,” aiming to enhance visual literacy and empower citizens to critically navigate the digital world. It’s a prime example of applying artistic and academic skills to create tangible social good.