Who is Sharona Katan? She is an Israeli artist, photographer, and the longtime wife of Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. The couple married in 1995 and have built a private family life together, mostly away from the media. Sharona, who also works as Shin Katan, has exhibited her photographic art in Oxford, London, and Israel. She played an important role in the Junun album by connecting Greenwood with Israeli musician Shye Ben Tzur and documenting the recording sessions in India. She is also a proud Jewish woman who has spoken out about her heritage and family. Even though she is linked to one of the world’s biggest bands, Sharona keeps her focus on art, motherhood, and privacy. This article explores her full story.
Sharona Katan biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Sharona Katan |
| Other Name | Shin Katan (artistic alias) |
| Known For | Visual artist; wife of Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Born | Reportedly born in the United States; made aliyah to Israel approximately 40 years ago |
| Spouse | Jonny Greenwood (married since 1995) |
| Children | Three children: son Tamir, daughter Omri, and son Zohar |
| Grandchildren | Five grandchildren |
| Residence | Beit Shemesh, Israel (has lived there for over 30 years) |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Political Science; Law degree from Bar-Ilan University |
| Profession | Visual artist; Project Manager at the Shemesh Foundation |
| Artistic Style | “Photographic sculpture” |
| Notable Work | Artwork for the Junun album; photography for the Junun documentary |
| Net Worth | Not publicly known |
Early Life and Family Background
Sharona Katan was born and raised in Israel, growing up in a Jewish household that deeply valued family, tradition, and community. Her family has roots in the Middle East, with her father born in Iraq before fleeing alone through the desert at just 14 years old. She also has a grandfather who was born in Jaffa in 1912. Sharona built her early life on strong cultural foundations, eventually earning a law degree from Bar-Ilan University in Israel. These early experiences shaped her identity as a proud Israeli woman with a deep appreciation for her heritage and a commitment to her family.
Israeli Roots and Cultural Heritage
Sharona Katan’s Israeli roots run deep and have played a central role in shaping both her personal identity and her artistic voice. She has publicly spoken about her family’s Jewish heritage, describing herself as the daughter of Egyptian and Iraqi Jewish parents. When her husband Jonny Greenwood faced criticism for working with Israeli musicians, Sharona wrote an open letter defending her right to be proud of her Jewish identity, saying she supports peace but will not be ashamed of who she is. Her cultural background continues to influence her art, her family life, and her public stance on issues close to her heart.
Career as a Visual Artist
Sharona Katan is an accomplished visual artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries and art events. She describes her artistic practice as “photographic sculpture,” a unique approach that blends photography with three-dimensional creative techniques. Her work has been featured at the O3 Gallery in Oxford, where she exhibited a collection called Stilleven, inspired by 17th-century Flemish still life paintings but reimagined through photographic emulsion and exaggerated scale. Beyond gallery shows, her photography has also been displayed at major cultural events, including an exhibition at the Elma Arts Complex in Israel that celebrated the music of the Junun project.
The Artistic Name Shin Katan
Like many artists, Sharona Katan works under a shorter artistic name: Shin Katan. This name is how she is credited in the art and music worlds, including on platforms like Discogs, where her profile lists her real name as Sharona Katan alongside her professional alias Shin Katan. The name “Shin” is a common Israeli nickname, and using it professionally allows her to keep a clear separation between her personal life and her creative work. Under this name, she has built a reputation as a visual artist specializing in photographic sculpture, with her own website showcasing her portfolio.
Photography, Exhibitions, and Creative Projects
Sharona Katan has built an impressive portfolio through photography and exhibitions. Her photographic work documenting the making of the Junun album was exhibited in London at the Omeara Gallery in 2016, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the three-week recording process in India. She also served as a camera operator on the Junun documentary film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Her Stilleven exhibition at Oxford’s O3 Gallery showcased her talent for transforming traditional still life imagery into modern photographic art. These projects demonstrate her versatility and her ability to work across different creative mediums.
Artwork for Jonny Greenwood’s Music
Sharona Katan played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in her husband’s musical projects. She was the catalyst for the Junun album, introducing Jonny Greenwood to Israeli musician Shye Ben Tzur and encouraging them to collaborate. Her photography from the Junun recording sessions in India became a major part of the project’s visual identity, with her images exhibited at galleries and cultural events. She also worked as a camera operator on the Junun documentary. Her creative contributions helped shape not just the music but the entire artistic world surrounding the project.
Contribution to the Junun Album Project
The Junun album was a landmark collaboration between Jonny Greenwood, Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur, and 19 Indian musicians called The Rajasthan Express. Sharona Katan was the person who made this project possible by connecting Greenwood with Ben Tzur and pushing them to work together. She also documented the entire recording process through her photography, capturing intimate moments inside the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, India. Her photos were later displayed in exhibitions in Israel and London, giving audiences a visual window into the creation of this unique cross-cultural album.
Sharona Katan Relationship With Jonny Greenwood
Sharona Katan and Jonny Greenwood have been married since 1995, making their relationship one of the longest-standing partnerships in the music world. They met when Greenwood first toured Israel with Radiohead in the mid-1990s, and their connection quickly grew into a lifelong bond. Despite Greenwood’s global fame as Radiohead’s guitarist, the couple has maintained a remarkably private and stable marriage. Sharona has been a steady presence in his life, supporting his musical career while building her own artistic practice. Their relationship has weathered both personal joys and public controversies with grace and mutual respect.
Who is Jonny Greenwood ?
Jonny Greenwood is an English musician and composer, born Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood on November 5, 1971, in Oxford, England. He is best known as the lead guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Radiohead, widely regarded as one of the most inventive guitarists of his generation. Beyond Radiohead, he has built a major career as a film composer, creating celebrated scores for directors such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Jane Campion, and Lynne Ramsay, including There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, and The Power of the Dog, which earned him multiple Academy Award nominations. He is married to Israeli visual artist Sharona Katan, and the couple has three children together.
Marriage and Family Life
Jonny Greenwood and Sharona Katan married in 1995 and have built a quiet family life away from the entertainment industry’s glare. The couple reportedly has three children together, all of whom have Israeli-sounding names. Their family identifies as Jewish, and Sharona has spoken openly about the importance of their religious and cultural heritage. The family divides their time between the UK and Israel, allowing their children to stay connected to both sides of their parents’ backgrounds. Despite Greenwood’s fame, the couple has worked hard to give their children a normal upbringing.
Sharona Katan’s Children and Motherhood
Sharona Katan is a devoted mother to her three children with Jonny Greenwood. While the couple keeps their children’s names and personal details largely private, one son is reportedly named Tamir Greenwood. Sharona has always prioritized motherhood alongside her artistic career, creating a stable and loving home environment for her family. Her children have grown up surrounded by both music and visual art, with their father being one of the world’s most respected musicians and their mother an accomplished artist in her own right. Family remains at the center of Sharona’s life and values.
Balancing Art, Family, and Privacy
Sharona Katan has mastered the delicate art of balancing her creative career, her role as a mother, and her need for privacy. Despite being married to a member of one of the world’s most famous bands, she has kept her personal life largely out of the spotlight. She continues to create art, exhibit her photography, and support her husband’s musical endeavors while fiercely protecting her family’s private moments. She has occasionally spoken publicly when necessary, such as when she wrote an open letter defending her Jewish identity, but for the most part, she chooses to let her art and her actions speak for themselves.
Life Alongside Radiohead’s Musical Career
Being married to Radiohead’s guitarist means Sharona Katan has had a front-row seat to one of the most influential bands in modern music history. She has traveled with Greenwood to recording sessions and concerts around the world, all while maintaining her own artistic career. She introduced Greenwood to Middle Eastern music that inspired collaborations like Junun and Jarak Qaribak, shaping his creative direction in meaningful ways. Their partnership has influenced not just their personal lives but also the artistic output of one of the world’s most innovative musicians.
Life Away From the Public Spotlight
Sharona Katan has always preferred a quiet life away from the cameras and red carpets. While her husband Jonny Greenwood is constantly in the public eye as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Sharona has built a life centered on family, art, and personal meaning. She lives primarily in the UK with Greenwood and their children, far from the paparazzi and celebrity culture. She rarely gives interviews and avoids social media fame, choosing instead to let her photography and art exhibitions represent her professionally. This commitment to privacy has allowed her family to enjoy a relatively normal life.
Net Worth and Professional Work
Sharona Katan’s net worth is not publicly known, as she keeps her financial affairs private. However, she has established herself as a successful visual artist with gallery exhibitions and photography projects. She also holds a law degree from Bar-Ilan University and is registered as a director of at least one UK-based company. Her work as a photographer, including her contributions to the Junun project, has added significant value to her professional portfolio. While she benefits from her husband’s substantial earnings as a Radiohead member and film composer, Sharona has built her own independent creative career.
Where Is Sharona Katan Today?
As of today, Sharona Katan continues to live a private life focused on her art and family. She remains married to Jonny Greenwood and supports his ongoing musical projects, including his collaborations with Israeli musicians. She has been a vocal defender of her family’s Jewish identity and has spoken about the loss of a nephew who served in the Israel Defense Forces. While she keeps a low public profile, her artistic legacy lives on through her photography exhibitions and her influential role in the creation of the Junun album. She continues to create art and prioritize her family above all else.
Conclusion
Sharona Katan is far more than just the wife of a famous musician. She is a talented visual artist, a dedicated mother, and a woman of strong cultural pride. From her early life in Israel to her influential role in the Junun project and her decades-long marriage to Jonny Greenwood, Sharona has carved out her own unique identity. She has chosen to live a life of quiet purpose, balancing art, family, and privacy with remarkable grace. Her story reminds us that behind every public figure is a person with their own dreams, talents, and values worth celebrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who in Radiohead is married to an Israeli?
Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist of Radiohead, is married to Sharona Katan, an Israeli visual artist. The couple married in 1995 and have three children together. Greenwood has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists for his collaborations with Israeli musicians and his marriage.
Who is Sharona Katan?
Sharona Katan is an Israeli visual artist and the wife of Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. She works under the artistic name Shin Katan and is known for a style called “photographic sculpture”. She also works as a project manager at the Shemesh Foundation and holds a law degree from Bar-Ilan University.
Who is Johnny Greenwood’s wife?
Jonny Greenwood’s wife is Sharona Katan, an Israeli artist he married in 1995. She is a visual artist who has exhibited her photography in galleries in Oxford, London, and Israel. She also played a key role in the Junun project by connecting Greenwood with Israeli musician Shye Ben Tzur.
Which bands support Israel?
Radiohead has not officially endorsed Israel, but guitarist Jonny Greenwood has defended his collaborations with Israeli musicians and rejected cultural boycotts. Disturbed’s frontman David Draiman has also expressed support for Israel, saying Israelis and Palestinians are welcome at their shows. Smash Mouth’s lead singer Zach Goode has been vocal in his support for Israel.
Who is the oldest Radiohead member?
Phil Selway, the drummer of Radiohead, is the oldest member of the band. He was born on May 23, 1967, making him older than Thom Yorke, who was born in October 1968. Selway has been with Radiohead since the band’s formation and also appeared in a Harry Potter film as a drummer.
