"Light is a matter of a passing moment—painting it is eternal."

Chaya Berlin was born in Jerusalem and continues to live and create there. Deeply connected to the city’s atmosphere, her paintings are rooted in the fragile, sacred light that surrounds it—light that she strives to capture with emotional depth and spiritual sensitivity.
From her home in the old Beit Yisrael neighborhood, just a short walk from the Kotel, Chaya draws daily inspiration. The alleyways, the prayers, the stillness and intensity of Jerusalem all find their way into her canvases. Each walk to the Kotel renews her inner spark, and each work becomes a unique and unexpected expression of that encounter.
Over the years, Chaya studied with various artists, including Leonid Balaklav, from whom she absorbed techniques of depth and form. Through these encounters, she developed a deep awareness of Jerusalem’s unique light and learned how to express her personal vision through painting.
Alongside her studio work, Chaya has devoted herself to the study of art history, immersing in a wide range of artistic movements and styles. This ongoing exploration continues to enrich and inform her creative approach.
In several of her recent works, she incorporates the motif of the Hoshen—the ancient breastplate stones of the Temple—each one radiating its own color and symbolism. Together, they reflect a collective light that speaks to Jerusalem’s spiritual joy and hope for redemption.
For Chaya, painting is more than a practice—it is a mission: to translate her inner world into a visual language that resonates with heart, depth, and professional clarity.