Ilona Szalay was born in Beirut and is now based in London. She studied at Oxford University and Byam Shaw, University of the Arts. Her work has been exhibited at numerous London galleries including the Royal Academy, Rebecca Hossack, Transition and Whitfield Fine Art. In 2013 she won the Italian contemporary art prize ORA. Her work was also selected as one of six finalists for the prestigious Threadneedle Prize one of the most valuable contemporary art prizes in the UK as well as being chosen for the Barbican Arts Open Exhibition. Last year also saw her exhibit new paintings in two solo shows one in London at Rebecca Hossack Gallery 'Owl, Boy, Gun' and one in Bergamo at Galleria Marelia 'Octopus'. Her work will be exhibited at Art 14 in London this February.