About
Duru Balaban (born in 2002) is a Turkish multidisciplinary artist. Balaban's practice offers alternative perspectives through art, inviting viewers to reconsider familiar systems and experiences. Working conceptually and responding to specific ideas, the artist prioritizes experience, participation, and perception. The work engages with multiple media while consistently revolving around a core set of thematic questions.
Medium is never neutral within the artist’s practice. The medium is chosen according to what best serves and strengthens the underlying idea of the work. Although not medium specific, her practice includes painting, sculpture, and installation.
The artist’s current research focuses on time; particularly ideas of lateness, delay, and the industrialization of time under capitalist systems. She examines how time is often treated as static, measurable, and productive, rather than as something felt, subjective, and experimental. This tension between lived time and systematized time forms the conceptual foundation of the ongoing body of work.
Education
Royal College of Art
MA Contemporary Art Practice
September 2025 – August 2026
MA Contemporary Art Practice
September 2025 – August 2026
Yeditepe University
BA Graphic Design
September 2022 – July 2025
GPA: 3.54
BA Graphic Design
September 2022 – July 2025
GPA: 3.54
Yeditepe University
BA Plastic Arts and Painting
September 2021 – July 2024
GPA: 3.55
BA Plastic Arts and Painting
September 2021 – July 2024
GPA: 3.55
Exhibitions
2026 June
RCA 2026 Show
2026 January
Kettle’s Yard Late - Interactive performance / Cambridge
2025 November
BASE Art 9th edition exhbition / Istanbul
2024 December - 2025 February
Decollage Art Space Open Call “Focus” Exhibition / Istanbul
2024 March
Bazaart Project 13th exhibition / Istanbul
Professional Experience
2025 October - 2026 August
Royal College of Art / Content Creator
• Developed, created and edited short-form video content for RCA’s Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
• Captured and covered university events, translating live events and activities into engaging digital content.
2025 November
Guest Lecturer at Westminster University
• Delivered 1:1 tutorials with Fine Art students, providing individual feedback and creative guidance on their artistic practices.
2025
Set Design Assistant - People places and things by Duncan Mcmillen
• Worked on prop making, cutting, installing and assembling materials.
2025 June - August
Le Koko Collectif / Graphic Design Internship
• Developed graphic materials for brand launches, events and outdoor campaigns.
• Created social media content including carousels and animated graphics for digital campaigns.
2023 August - September
Rafineri Advertising and Design Agency / Internship
• Created digital campaign assets for brand communications.
• Supported the development of visual materials across different campaign formats.
2023
Scenic Design Assistant / The Sanctuary by Martyna Majok
• Assisted Ceyda Balaban with the on-site setup and installation of a theatre stage set.
• Helped identify and resolve practical challenges during the on-site setup, adapting to the needs of the space and production.
• Worked collaboratively with the scenic design team throughout the preparation and installation process.
2022
Painting Instructor / Vals Art Centre, Turkey
2021
Illustrator
• Created hand-drawn illustrations for the childrens book: “Otizmin kıyısından hikayeler”, developing visual concepts and imagery to support the narrative and atmosphere of the book.
2019
Alametifarika Advertising and Design Agency / Internship
• Adapted visual assets across print and digital formats to maintain consistent brand communication.
2019
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week / Fashion Show Production Assistant
• Assisted with backstage and on-site production, including set-up and breakdown, prop and garment preparation and general support during rehearsals and the live show.
Media