Edi Rama: Albanian Prime Minister on Art, Politics, and Tirana's Transformation
In an interview with Artribune, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania and a lifelong artist, shares insights about his multifaceted career. Born in 1964, Rama has held various roles, including painting professor, Tirana's mayor, Minister of Culture, and national basketball player. He has partnered with galleries in Naples and New York and showcased his work in Florence in 2017. His art has been featured at notable venues such as the São Paulo Biennial (1994), Centre Pompidou (2010), and Tophane-i Amire (2015). Since his election as Prime Minister in 2013, he has pursued the vision of establishing an 'offshore of art and culture' in Albania, launching an 'urban renaissance' initiative and encouraging young artists to explore opportunities abroad.
Key facts
- Edi Rama is Prime Minister of Albania and an artist.
- He was born in 1964 and has been a painting professor, mayor, minister, and basketball player.
- He works with galleries Alfonso Artiaco and Marian Goodman.
- His art has been shown at São Paulo Biennial (1994), Centre Pompidou (2010), and Istanbul (2015).
- He began exhibiting after the regime fell in 1991.
- He started making sculpture after a friend printed his drawings on ceramic plates.
- He considers Paolo Uccello his god of painting.
- As Prime Minister, he aims to create an 'offshore of art and culture' in Albania.
- Tirana's skyline is being redesigned by international architects.
- A project to turn old regime buildings into open-air galleries failed due to lack of funding.
- He believes young artists should travel abroad to gain experience.
Entities
Artists
- Edi Rama
- Paolo Uccello
Institutions
- Alfonso Artiaco
- Marian Goodman
- Eduardo Secci
- University of Fine Arts in Tirana
- Centre Pompidou
- Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Center
- São Paulo Biennial
- Artribune
Locations
- Albania
- Tirana
- Naples
- New York
- Florence
- Paris
- Istanbul
- São Paulo