Modern Valkyrie Photograph

Ilona Balitskaya (Ex - D. Veresk) Visual Architect of Surreal Elegance Ilona transforms the ephemeral into the eternal. Her work exists at the intersection of high fashion, fine art, and allegory—crafting visual narratives that are both timeless and unsettlingly contemporary. A native of Russia, Ilona’s early exploration of photomanipulation laid the foundation for her distinct approach. Driven by a desire to create something immortaly beautiful, she evolved into a complete auteur: photographer and art director of her own surreal tales. She often designs garments and accessories exclusively for her art projects, ensuring every element serves her vision. Her aesthetic is a conscious rebellion against the transient. Drawing inspiration from the enduring power of nature and the subconscious, she constructs images that feel like recovered memories from a dream—both familiar and profoundly other. Each piece is a meticulously composed ecosystem where light, texture, and form converge into a silent, potent dialogue. Ilona’s technique is as disciplined as her imagination is boundless. Mastering every stage of creation—from lighting to post-production she produces limited-edition works that are as technically impeccable as they are conceptually rich. Supported by industry leaders including Broncolor and Wacom, Teaching in such universities as British Higher School of Art and Design, MSU, Ostankino - Ilona Balitskaya is recognized not just as an image-maker, but as a thought leader shaping the future of photographic art. Her works are held in private collections internationally and are available as exclusive, museum-grade pieces through Saatchi Art.