A native of Ukraine, Elena Ilku holds a masters degree in the History of Art and Design from Lviv Polygraphic Academy. She began her career as a professional artist in 1985, and since then has traveled extensively, working and exhibiting her work throughout Europe and North America. She developed a unique sense of style when studying art in France and the United Kingdom.
For her, creating art is a release of emotion which creates a captivating balance between abstraction and figuration. Still the signs and symbols of Slavonic Icon, one of her favorite subjects in her early work, continue to evoke feelings of memories and old times. Elena is a master at depicting familiar surroundings by way of suggestions and citations. She succeeds in expressing a deeply felt sense of "unity” and "wholeness,” balancing color, form and composition. The consequences of this process are proven to be powerful, yet elusive.
Currently, Elena Ilku lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.