User:Antan tutra

Antan Tutra was born in the town of Durres, in 1964, in Albania, near the sea. The city has an ancient history. The amphitheatre, the therms and the mosaics are a small part of the original antic glory of this city.

Tutra started to paint when he was very young. Discovering his artistic talent at the age of 10, Tutra entered a competition to secure a spot at a prestigious art school. He was subsequently accepted into " The National Lyceum of Arts" in Tirana, where he began to pursue his traditional European Art school education. He studied there for four years and he learned the basis of representational arts, painting, drawing, prospective and methodology of art.

Desperate to turn his passion into a viable career, and knowing the importance of further training, Tutra decided to take his talent to University. He entered another competition and was again awarded entry, this time at the "Academy of Fine Arts of Tirana". In 1990, Tutra graduated from the Academy, receiving his Diploma in Painting and Scenography. The same year, Tutra participated  in an art show on the albanian television where he won the third prize.

In 1991, Tutra relocated to Italy and began working as a freelance visual artist. Tutra absorbed his surroundings : the stark italian sunlight and Mediterranean landscape infused his work with greater warmth than ever before. During the decade he resided in Italy, Tutra was acknowledged by numerous prestigious artists, as well as public and private collectors. His elevated status in the art world led to many great commissions. With every piece, Tutra developed a stronger sense of color and his deft hand was evident in everything he touched. While in Italy, he met in Milan the big postcubist artist, Ibrahim Kodra, who was also born in his hometown, Durres.

After a decade in Italy, Tutra moved to New Jersey, always looking to widen his scope in the other continent. Despite the language barrier, Tutra continued to evolve artistically and discovered another side of himself. His paintings were influenced by his strong emotional responses to nature and its beauty and balance. His contemporary improvisational style now concentrates on re-creating the true identity of his subjects in form, light and shape.

Tutra still resides and paints in the United States.

Tutra's works have been exhibited in Albania, Italy, France,and the United States.