Balaklav Leonid (b. 1956, Moldavia) Lives and works in Jerusalem. Studied at the Kiev Art School and graduated from The Art Institute in Odessa. Immigrated to Israel in 1990 and ever since the Israeli light is an essential element in his artwork. Participated in several group exhibitions in Israel and abroad. Held solo exhibitions at the Mishkan Museum of Art, Ein Harod and Gordon Gallery, Tel Aviv. Recipient of The Haim Shiff Prize for Figurative Realist Art 2014 which included a solo exhibition at Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 2015. He paints mainly self-portraits and is influenced by the great classic masters.