Slava Ilyayev, born in 1970 in Baku, Azerbaijan (formerly part of the U.S.S.R.), is an artist whose work reflects the rich cultural blend of his homeland, influenced by both Eastern and Western traditions. He began his formal art education at the Academy for Plastic Art in Baku. In 1995, after immigrating to Israel, he continued his studies at the Avni Institute of Art in Tel Aviv.

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Since 1998, Ilyayev has balanced teaching art at various schools and academies in Israel with developing his own artistic practice. His first public exhibitions in 1999, held in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, introduced his work to a wider audience. Ilyayev’s art is characterized by his unique use of raised color structures and his mastery of light and shadow, capturing the essence of changing seasons. He is notably influenced by post-impressionist artists, especially Vincent Van Gogh.

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Living in Tel Aviv with his wife Alexandra, a talented artist in her own right, and their three daughters, Ilyayev continues to create and exhibit his work. His pieces have been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions across Israel, the USA, Europe, and the Far East.