Madre Teresa / Dorian Florez | Give me someone to love..

Lord, when I am hungry,

give me someone needing food.

When I am thirsty,

send me someone needing a drink

When I am cold, send me

someone to warm

When I am grieved, send me

someone to console

When my cross grows heavy

let me carry another's cross too

Josef Kote, 1964 | Modern Impressionist painter

Born in the scenic port town of Vlore, Albania, modern artist Josef Kote, emerged eager to share his unique vision with the world.

Kote immersed himself in the arts early on, the atmosphere around him constantly inspired the young visionary living in the metropolis of Vlore of commercial industry and old world charm.

This was the perfect backdrop for an aspiring artist talent like Kote, the city's handsome, bright buildings and coastline provided Kote with an abundance of creative material.

Alush Shima, 1942 | Colorist / Fauvist / Symbolist painter

Small Territories of Freedom under communism

Alush Shima was born in Tirana, Albania. He painted in secret under Albania’s communist regime for almost two decades, being a former Parliament member. Alush Shima’s most perilous moment was in 1973, when the Sigurimi secret police seized his closest friend, fellow artist Ali Oseku, for letting slip praise of such bourgeois painters as Picasso and Matisse. He worked as a set painter in Albania’s only film studio, Kinostudio.

Alush Shima has always been a realistic painter, but for a time he made paintings of modern criticism of the regime. Today he doesn’t make modern works, but landscapes and still life.

Odysseas Oikonomou, 1967 | Children portrait painter

Albanian-born Greek painter Odysseas Oikonomou /Οδυσσέας Οικονόμου was born in Dhuvjan, Albania to Greek parents.

He paints from the age of five years old.

At the age of 14 years old, ending eight-year primary school, and after double competition (in Gjirokaster, Berat,) wins a place in the Artistic Liceu "Ajet Xhindole" in Berat.

After a four-year studying, ending in 1985 with excellent the school.

His first teacher was the eminent painter Sotir Capo «Artist i Merituar».

In 1990 he graduated from the Pedagogical Institute of Gjirokastra «Eqerem Çabej».

Ilir Pojani, 1954 | Abstract painter

Ilir Pojani is an Albanian contemporary artist living in Fairfax, Virginia. He was born in Tirana, Albania.

Pojani studied painting and graphic art at the National Academy of Arts in Tirana. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions and international art contests in United States and Europe.

Pojani has won several international art awards🎨. His distinct artwork has been recognized and owned by many art collectors and galleries throughout the world.

Madre Teresa /Agim Sulaj ~ The most beautiful day / Il giorno più bello

Agim Sulaj, 1960 ~ Hyperrealist painter

The most beautiful day: Today.
The easiest thing: Equivocate.
The biggest obstacle: Fear.
The gravest error: give up, to despair.
The root of all evils: Egoism.
The most beautiful occupation: Work.
The worst route to follow: Faintheartedness.
The best teachers: Children.

Il giorno più bello? Oggi.
L’ostacolo più grande? La paura.
La cosa più facile? Sbagliarsi.
L’errore più grande? Rinunciare.
La radice di tutti i mali? L’egoismo.
La distrazione migliore? Il lavoro.
La sconfitta peggiore? Lo scoraggiamento.
I migliori professionisti? I bambini.

Mother Teresa /Jeanie Tomanek ~ Love life /Ama la vita

Jeanie Tomanek, 1949 ~ Allegorical/Narrative painter

Love life as it is
Love her fully, unpretentious.
Love her when they love you or hate you when.
Love her when no one understands you,
or when you include everyone.
Love her when all forsake you,
or when you exalt like a king.
Love her when they steal everything,
or when you give it.
Love her when it makes sense
or when it seems not to have even a little‘.
Love her in complete happiness,
or in absolute solitude.

Dita Omuri | Fashion/Abstract painter

Award winning artist Dita Omuri, born and raised in northern Albania, escaped her home country running towards the unknown and away from the restricted ways of expressing her emotions through art.
From a very young age, Dita’s sketchbook was her constant companion. By winning a young art competition she secured a scholarship at a traditional Art school aged 14. Learning the “Old Masters Techniques” and becoming aware that the only legal art form in Albania was Social Realism. Her passion for art, freedom and creativity was stifled in Albania.