Still Life Shortlist

Culinary Capital in Diptychs is an artistic and scholarly framework that utilises photography and design. The series examines heirloom Filipino dishes — often perceived as lacking aesthetic ‘style’ — to reveal their provenance and sophisticated pre-colonial methodologies. Through research in his hometown of Pampanga, the artist has documented indigenous culinary practices, from butchering to meal presentation. In doing so, he emphasises their refinement over generations, as colonial encounters introduced foreign ingredients that were adapted into local traditions and shaped a unique gastronomic identity. Culinary Capital in Diptychs elevates Filipino cuisine by challenging Western plating aesthetics and fostering a distinct visual language rooted in local heritage.