Melania Poltorak

An Israeli painter and sculptor of Russian origin, delves deeply into themes of womanhood, self-identity, and the aftermath of trauma in her diverse body of work. Having earned her Master of Arts degree in Russia, she brings a rich cultural background to her artistic exploration.

Initially working primarily with watercolors, Melaniya's artistic journey took a profound turn following physical and mental transformations. She began incorporating elements of traditional Japanese techniques into her paintings, and later expanded her repertoire to include ceramics. This expansion was not merely a stylistic choice but a reflection of her personal evolution, marked by overcoming significant challenges, particularly her battle with breast cancer.
 

Melaniya's art serves as a medium for her own healing and recovery, as well as a means of communicating universal truths about resilience and self-acceptance. Through her works, she highlights the beauty inherent in imperfection, embracing individual flaws and differences as integral aspects of human existence. In a nod to the Japanese art of kintsugi, she incorporates gold inserts into her paintings and sculptures, symbolizing the value of embracing scars and wounds rather than concealing them.
 

Her deliberate choice to showcase these imperfections underscores her belief in the importance of self-awareness and acceptance, encouraging viewers to reconsider societal norms of beauty and perfection. Melaniya's art becomes a powerful expression of the human experience, celebrating the journey of overcoming adversity and finding strength in vulnerability.

Melania participates in group exhibitions in Israel and Europe, while some of her works can be found in private collections.