Ilana Portnoy is a contemporary Israeli visual artist whose work delves into themes of freedom, identity, and the unseen pressures of modern society.

Born in Israel to a family of Belarusian immigrants who arrived after the Chernobyl disaster, Portnoy grew up between cultures—an experience that deeply informs her exploration of belonging, individuality, and emotional authenticity.

A graduate of Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art (B.Des in Visual Communication, 2020), Portnoy developed her artistic voice through a unique visual language: the Luni figures—genderless, nude characters living in harmony with nature. These minimalist, symbolic figures exist beyond societal roles and labels, expressing raw emotion and uninhibited freedom.

Named after a childhood nickname, “Luni” evokes a return to innocence and inner truth. Her work encourages viewers to reflect on the invisible social structures that define our behavior and identities, inviting a vision of self-liberation, vulnerability, and deeper human connection.

Through painting, illustration, and mixed media, Ilana Portnoy challenges the boundaries between the personal and the collective, offering a bold, introspective lens on the human condition.