Short bio
Eshref Qahili has had over 20 personal exhibitions locally and internationally. Moreover, he was part of over 70 collective/group exhibitions and various residencies as well as presentations. He has received a number of awards over time.
His artworks represent various themes, including that of collective memory, social issues, history and childhood. The use of abstract style allows Eshref Qahili to share his imagination through the use of colors which most of the times is combined by collage. Hence, he is recognized by representing specific details of his life with the use of thick brush strokes.
In 2013 he founded one of the first private art galleries in Prishtina, Kosovo – Galeria Qahili which is managed by his daughter, Nita Qahili.
SELECTED ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
Solo Exhibitions
2023
Children’s Museum – National Museum “Çifte Hamam” – Skopje, North Macedonia
Children’s Museum – Etno Fest – Prishtina, Republic of Kosova
2022
Children’s Museum – Galeria Qahili – Prishtina, Republic of Kosova
Children’s Museum Retrospective – Academy of Science and Arts of the Republic of Kosova
2020
Memories of Kosova – Orlean, Francë
2018
The Legend of Towers – Gallery of the University of Massachusetts – Boston, United States of America
2016
Etno Fest 6 – Once Upon a Time – Kukaj, Kosovo
2014
Gallery of the Eastern Mediterranean University – Famagusta, Cyprus
Galerie Espace 26 Denfert Rochereau – Paris, France
2013
Galeria Qahili – Prishtina, Kosovo
2012
“Massion des Association Du 7ème” – Paris, France
2007
Museum of Contemporary Art – Skopje, North Macedonia
2006
Varna City Art Gallery – Bulgaria
2005
Gallery’ Kulla e Ballshajve’ – Ulqin, Montenegro
2004
National Library of Kosova – Prishtina, Kosovo
2002
National Museum – Tirana, Albania
National Art Gallery of Kosova – Prishtina, Kosovo
1997
Gallery “Hani 2 Roberteve” – Prishtina, Kosovo
“Dodona” Gallery – Prishtina, Kosovo (Master Exhibition)
1996
Art Gallery “Rada” – Prizren, Kosovo
1993
Gallery “Apolonia” – Gjilan, Kosovo
1992
“ARS” Gallery – Prishtina, Kosovo
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
Kosovo, France, Germany, Macedonia, Cyprus, Italy, Montenegro, Austria, Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Bosnia & Herzegovina, India, Japan, Ireland, Slovenia,
AWARDS
2025
“Buying Prize” January Flame – Gjilan, Kosovo
2013
“Carrier Prize” – Presevo, Serbia
2012
“Gara e Artit Global” National Museum – Prishtina, Kosovo
“Salloni i Nentorit” National Museum – Prishtina, Kosovo
“Salloni Vjeshtor” City Gallery – Gjilan, Kosovo
2005
“gjon mili”- National Art Gallery of Kosovo – Prishtine, Kosova
2001
The Flame of January – Gjilan, Kosova
1998
XXV Spring Salon – Prishtina, Kosova
The Flame of January – Gjilan, Kosova
1997
XXIV Spring Salon – Prishtina, Kosova
COLLECTIONS
2022
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Kosova
2018
Collection of the US Embassy in Prishtina, Kosovo
2017
Luciano Benetton Collection
2016
Collection of Museum of Santa Severina, Italy
2005
Collection of National Art Gallery of Kosovo
Other private and public collections in Kosovo and abroad
PUBLICATIONS
2022
“Children’s Museum: Eshref Qahili” – Nita Qahili – Galeria Qahili
2017
Small is Beautiful – Contemporary Artists from Kosovo – Face to Face – Imago Mundi – Luciano Benetton Collection
2015
Sarajevske Sveske – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2014
International Contemporary Artists Vol 8
2005
Kosova Feniks – Onufri
2000
Contemporary Art of Kosovo – National Art Gallery of Kosovo
Eshref Qahili 