User:Buharmorina/The Kosova Art Gallery



The Kosova National Art Gallery - KNAG (Kosovar: Galeria Kombëtare e Arteve e Kosovës),is an art gallery situated at The University of Prishtina Campus, right behind the National Library of Kosova in Prishtina, Kosova, founded on February 1979. It was named after one of the most prominent Kosovan artists of all time, Muslim Mulliqi. It is the highest institution of visual arts in the country of Kosova. It is the space of various exhibitions of local and international artists. The most successful yearly exhibitions are the International Exhibition of Artistic Photography, "Gjon Milli"; the Young Artist Award, "Artists of Tomorrow"; and the International Exhibit Award, "Muslim Mulliqi". The Kosovo Art Gallery has published many books, catalogues and brochures, among which are the monographies: "Kosovo Contemporary Art", and “Kosova Feniks”.

Early Usage

 * The Kosova National Art Gallery was built approximately in 1935 as a military barrack of the Yugoslavian Army, made of stone bricks.
 * In the years 1955-1981 it operated as a library.
 * In the years 1982-1983 it was adapted into an exhibition hall by the architect Agush Beqiri, for the Revolutionary Museum of the time.
 * In 1995 it was officially adapted into what is now The Kosova National Art Gallery.

Foundation
The Kosova National Art Gallery was established in 1979 as a cultural institution to present visual arts, and to preserve and collect valuable works of art. It is also named after on of the most prominent Kosovan artists of all time, Muslim Mulliqi. It was established as a necessity for the visual presentation of Kosovan culture, as the only art institutions before it were The Art High School in Pejë in 1949, then “The Higher Pedagogical School” in Prishtinë, as well as the founding of the Academy of Arts in 1973, from which more than 1000 artists have graduated. Near 500 of them are active these days in the field of painting, sculpture, graphic and applicative arts. Kosovan art was unknown to the international public for a very long period of time. Because of the regime of that time, many artists were unable to display their art in the Art Gallery at the time, and so they were always on the lookout for alternatives and even resorted to taking matters in their own hands. Unfortunately, during the Kosovo War, many studios were burned down and many more artworks were destroyed or lost. Up till 1990, Kosovan Artists have presented their art in many prestigious worldwide renowned centers. They were affirmed and evaluated highly because of their unique approach to the arts considering the circumstances in which it was created, making them distinguished and original. During the 10 after-war years, The Kosovo Art Gallery organized more than 200 collective and individual exhibitions from national as well as international artists. Thousands of artists have exhibited their work, which were visited by hundreds of thousands of art lovers.

Architecture
The Kosova National Art Gallery is a building that is made of specific facade made from stone from the area of Pejë, that made it stand out. The building where the gallery is currently situated was once the seat of the museum of the 1941-1945 war.

Muslim Mulliqi
Muslim Mulliqi was one of the first and most important impressionist and expressionist painters of Kosovo and Albania. He was born into a family of artists in Gjakova in 1934. He attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade, studying under the well-known Serbian artist, Zora Petrović. He then finished postgraduate studies by the same professor in 1961. Mulliqi was a professor at the Faculty of Arts in the University of Prishtina. He acted as founder and vice-president of the Academy of Sciences of Kosovo. He died in Prishtinë, in 1998. Mulliqi exhibited his artwork in Kosovo, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Norway, Finland, India, Canada, and Egypt. His artwork is also being used in stamps by the Kosova Postal Service.

Cooperation
As a result of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports of Prishtina, which is charge of the Gallery, and international institutions, the Gallery has hosted numerous guests from Albania and other neighboring states. Many Serbian, Montenegrin, and Turkish artists also contributed to the development of Kosovan visual art. Vlada Radoviq, Milorad-Musa Miketiq, Veljko Radoviq, Svetozar Kamenoviq, are notable for enabling other creative generations through their pedagogical work. Also noteworthy are the sculptor Svertomir Arsiq-Basara, graphic artist Zoran Jovanoviq, painters Hilmija Qatoviq, Fevzi Tufekci and then later Zoran Karalaiq who also worked in the Arts University in Prishtina. The Kosova National Art Gallery has created cooperation between:
 * National Gallery of Art of Albania Tirana ,
 * European Cultural Parliament,
 * International Committee of ICOM Museums and Collections of Modern and Contemporary Art,
 * Pavilion of Venice Biennale,
 * Kosova Embassy in Washington.

Artist of Tomorrow Award XI
Is a program initiated by Wendy W. Luers, founder and director of Foundation for a Civil Society in USA. This competition is organised in many places of South East Europe where the ceremonies of the Award traditionally continue. The award in Kosova, was first organized in 2002 from the Kosova National Art Gallery in cooperation with the American Embassy. The winner of the exhibition is rewarded by a six-week residency at the highly acclaimed International Curatorial Studios Program in New York. The residency gives the winner the opportunity to build a professional network that will mark a significant change in their careers. Originally held in 1991 in Czechoslovakia, this competition started attracting attention from many other countries in Europe. The year of 2002 was the year it started in Kosova, and now it is being held in more than ten countries. This is the only competition of its kind being held, as it gives the winners the chance to create contacts and relations with people who might be of great help to their careers. Anyone under the age of 35 can apply. The winners are chosen by a panel of experts, and all the finalists get to exhibit their artwork at the KNAG. The prize is a 6-week stay in an international studio in New York as well as a curatorial program, and has been so for eleven years. The winners until now have been: Artan Hajrullahu was born in 1979 in Kosovo. He has completed his bachelor and master degree at the Faculty of Arts in Prishtina, at the Department of Painting. His drawings are delicate and they create a poetic story where human relationships and house objects take an important role. Hajrullahu teaches painting at the Secondary School of Visual Arts in Gjilan.
 * 2002 - Tahar Alemdar.
 * 2003 - Jakup Ferri
 * 2005 - Kader Muzaqi
 * 2006 - Fitore Isufi-Koja
 * 2007 - Fatmir Mustafa-Carlo
 * 2008 - Bekim Gllogu
 * 2009 - Miranda Thaçi
 * 2010 - Loreta Ukshini
 * 2011 - Astrit Ismaili
 * 2012 - Majlinda Hoxha
 * 2013 - Artan Hajrullahu

Gjon Milli Photo Competition XIII
It was first held in 2001, as an initiative of the Kosova National Art Gallery and the US Office of the time. Its primary idea was to organize a traditional exhibition as a photography competition which would gather new photographers. Anyone is eligible to enter, with the prize being 1000 Euros. This initiative resulted with the yearly exhibition which is being held since, and has reached the reputation as the most important photography competition not only in Kosovo, but throughout the whole Albanian nation. The director of KNAG, Erzen Shkololli, has recently stated that from this year the exhibition will be turned into a biennial event, taking turns each year with another competition, Muslim Mulliqi. The winners so far have been:
 * 2001 - Burim Myftiu
 * 2004 - Mumin Jashari
 * 2008 - Linda Vukaj
 * 2010 - Chehalis Hegner
 * 2011 - Berat Murina
 * 2012 - Jetmir Idrizi
 * 2013 - Genc Kadriu

Muslim Mulliqi Prize Exhibition IX
Muslim Mulliqi is the most significant exhibition for contemporary visual arts in Kosova, held in honor of the pioneer of modern painting Muslim Mulliqi. The Muslim Mulliqi Prize Exhibition aims to be one of the most interesting contemporary art projects in Southern Europe. It has been held since 2002, biennially, and experienced some pauses because of a lack of financial means. The aim KNAG has given to itself in the latest editions of the Muslim Mulliqi Prize is the provision of the current Albanian visual art. The competition has expanded, including other exhibition spaces such as at the Gallery of the Ministry of Culture and the Amphitheater of the Architecture University. Each year there are three members different expertise in the jury who decide the winner, where the winner is 3,000 euros are given to the artist chosen as the best fitting the different criteria assigned each year. The last winner of the Muslim Mulliqi Prize Exhibitions is: Abedin Azizi

Disciplines and Artists
Many great artists have merits in the development and affirmation of the visual art in Kosovo. With their exhibitions in many galleries around the world, such as Daut Berisha in Paris, USA, Mexico, Mikel Gjokaj in Rome, Brussels, Tirana, Bahri Drançolli in Munchen, Germany have helped spread the knowledge on Kosovan art.

Painting

 * Adem Kastrati
 * Agron Bytyqi
 * Alije Vokshi
 * Arian Berisha
 * Azem Gashi
 * Aziz Nimani
 * Bashkim Paloja
 * Bedri Emra
 * Bislim Aliu
 * Budim Berisha
 * Bujar Lahu


 * Daut Berisha
 * Engjël Berisha
 * Enver Jaka
 * Esat Valla
 * Eshref Qahili
 * Faik Krasniqi
 * Gani Llalloshi
 * Gani Sadiku
 * Gjelosh Gjokaj
 * Hajrush Fazliu
 * Haki Xhakli


 * Halil Muhaxheri
 * Haxhi Kastrati
 * Ibrahim Ponosheci
 * Idriz Berisha
 * Isa Alimusaj
 * Isak Asllani
 * Ismet Fazliu
 * Jetullah Haliti – Eti
 * Kadrush Rama
 * Lendita Zeqiraj
 * Masar Caka


 * Miradije Ramiqi
 * Mirlinda Rexhepi
 * Muhamet Shala
 * Musa Kalaveshi
 * Muslim Mulliqi
 * Mustafa Ferizi
 * Nagip Berisha
 * Nazmi Sadiku
 * Nimon Lokaj
 * Nysret Salihamixhiqi
 * Ramadan Ramadani


 * Rexhep Ferri
 * Sabedin Etemi
 * Sejdi Kapllanaj
 * Shahin Kryeziu
 * Shkelzen Zhubi
 * Shyqri Gjurkaj
 * Sislej Xhafa
 * Skender Kapiti
 * Svetozar Kamenovic
 * Sylejman Kadrija
 * Tahir Emra


 * Valbona Rexhepi
 * Valbona Zherka
 * Veli Blakçori
 * Vesta Nura
 * Visar Mulliqi
 * Vlada Radovic
 * Xhevdet Dula
 * Xhevdet Xhafa
 * Zake Prelvukaj
 * Zef Toçi
 * Zeki Bejtullahu

Graphics

 * Afrore Blakçori
 * Agim Salihu
 * Bahri Drançolli
 * Basri Mekolli
 * Enver Rakovica
 * Fatmir Dërmaku


 * Fatmir Krypa
 * Fevzi Tufekçi
 * Gani Gashi
 * Hamdi Terziqi
 * Hyrjije Krypa
 * Hysni Krasniqi


 * Karmon Fan Ferri
 * Mikel Gjokaj
 * Musë Prelvukaj
 * Rrustem Bujupi
 * Shaip Çitaku
 * Ymer Shaqiri

Sculpture

 * Adem Rusinovci
 * Agim Çavdarbasha
 * Agim Rudi
 * Avni Behlulu
 * Avni Toplica
 * Aziz Islamaj
 * Besim Gashi
 * Burim Gashi


 * Fatmir Hoxha
 * Gani Bajraktari
 * Ismail Qosja
 * Ismet Jonuzi
 * Luan Mulliqi
 * Mal Myrtaj
 * Sabri Shaqiri
 * Skënder Boshtrakaj