Katya Ilina

Katya Ilina is a London and Toronto based artist working at the intersection of portrait, fashion and observational photography genres. Her works explore themes of identity expression, gender, and the human condition in the context of social and cultural change.

Ilina's creative practice is informed by her multicultural perspective. Born in Russia and subsequently spent over a decade moving in between the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the US, and Canada, she is inspired by convergences and divergences of cultures. She seeks to challenge socially constructed barriers creating divisions between people by highlighting everyday human experiences.

Ilina has exhibited in the UK, Canada, and South Korea, including Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2021, where she received the 3rd prize. Her most recent project, "Rosemary & Thyme", examines body positivity in masculinity and celebrates the beauty of fluidity in physical form.