Tania Rivilis
(b. 1986, Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine) is an internationally recognized portrait artist whose work delves into the evolving nature of self and human connection. Rooted in the portrait genre, Rivilis investigates how identity is shaped by the gaze—both of others and of oneself within the pictorial space. Her practice merges classical techniques with contemporary sensibilities, capturing the fragility and transformation inherent in interpersonal relationships.
Exhibitions and Prizes
Originally trained in Media Design in Moscow, Rivilis began painting in 2013 after relocating to Germany, where she embraced art as a calling. Since 2015, she has participated in numerous exhibitions across Europe and the United States. Her works are part of museum, gallery, and private collections worldwide.
Since 2019, she has exhibited regularly with Bonnard Galerie (Netherlands) and Arcadia Contemporary (New York), while also presenting at leading fairs such as LA Art Show, Amsterdam First Art Fair, Art Basel Miami, and Art Herning (Denmark).
Since 2022 her paintings were included in exhibitions at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London, where she was awarded the William Lock Prize in 2022 for the most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint and its aesthetically potential.
Her recent milestones include participation in the “Note to Self” show at Christie’s London (curated by Mashonda Tifrere), the selection of her work for the Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa’s book in 2024, and a cover feature for LaSocioCultural magazine in Spain.
In 2024, Rivilis was shortlisted for both the William Lock Portrait Prize and the Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture, and in 2025 Rivilis was longlisted for both the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, London, and the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. That same year she held a solo show at Espacio75 Gallery in Madrid and was featured in the MEAM Museum, Barcelona.
COMMISSIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Notable commissions include a portrait of Baroness Janet Anne Royall of Blaisdon for Somerville College, Oxford, showcased at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 2025, and a project for UKTV’s “Outrageous” series, where she painted Pamela Mitford.
Rivilis has collaborated with prominent actors such as Val Kilmer, Mark Gatiss and Laurence Fuller. Her paintings have been featured on major Times Square billboards and international campaigns. Her media appearances include the BBC World interview Women Painting Portraits (2023).
TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP
A dedicated educator, Rivilis has led workshops internationally since 2024, including ArtEscape Italy, sessions in Portugal and New York, and mentorship roles alongside artists like Ruprecht von Kaufmann and Vincent Desiderio. In both her artistic and teaching practices, she fosters the next generation of painters and creative thinkers.
Tania Rivilis currently lives and works primarily in Portugal, continuing to expand her international presence and deepen her exploration of the portrait as a living, relational space.
CV
Art Fairs
2021 LA ART SHOW (presented by Arcadia Gallery NYC)
2022 First Art Fair, Amsterdam (presented by Bonnard Gallery)
2022 Art Basel Miami (curated by Mashonda Tifrere, ArtLeadsHer)
2023 Naarden The Art Fair (presented by Bonnard Gallery)
2025 Art Herning Denmark (presented by Space Gallery)
2025 Affordable Art Fair, Amsterdam
Group Shows
2017 Urmond Church, Netherlands
2018 Rozendaal Art Gallery, Netherlands
2020 Story Tellers. Bonnard Gallery, Netherlands
2021 Grand Opening SOHO. Arcadia Gallery, New York
2021 Male of the Species. Arcadia Gallery, New York
2021 Summer exhibition. Bonnard Gallery, Netherlands
2021 Five under Five. Arcadia Gallery, New York
2022 Urban Zen. Donna Karan. Art curator – Mashonda Tifrere. NYC
2022 Royal Portrait Society. Mall Galleries, London UK
2022 Halcyon Days. curated by Beautiful Bizarre Magazine
2023 Group show. Arcadia Gallery, New York
2023 “Note to Self” exhibition curated by Mashonda Tifrere. Christie´s London
2023 “Five under Five” group show. Arcadia Gallery, New York.
2023 “Female Gaze” group show. Bonnard Gallery, Netherlands
2023 “At the Edge of Realism” Kirk Gallery, Denmark
2023 Annual Exhibition, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London
2024 Exhibition at Tilsitt Gallery, Porto
2024 Royal Portrait Society annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2024 Group show curated by Beautiful Bizzare Magazine, Modern Eden Gallery, LA
2024 Group show. Espacio75, Madrid
2024 – 2025 Group show. Space Gallery, Denmark
2025 Art Herning. Art Fair represented by Space Gallery, Denmark
2025 Group show. Espacio75, Madrid
2025 “A Female Gaze” group show. Bonnard Gallery, Netherlands
2025 Solo show. Espacio75, Madrid
2025 MEAM Museum, Barcelona. Figurativas
Awards
2021 The honourable mention of the Contemporary Award
2022 The William Lock Portrait Prize for the most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint and its aesthetically potential. Royal Portrait Society, London
2024 Shortlisted for the William Lock Portrait Prize and the Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture during Royal Portrait Society annual exhibition
2025 National Portrait Gallery, London – Longlisted