1994 Born, Tirana, Albania
2017 — Graduated with a Fine Art degree at University of Arts, Tirana, Albania.
Zeni is a documentary photographer, but he is also an accomplished painter which adds a specific flair and distinction to his mixed media work. He presented his work via handmade books, a specifically analog, interactive handmade book, the likes of which I had not seen before. Photographs, illustrations, installations, films, artwork, copy. Family history, tradition, industry and the turbulence of post-communist dictatorship. Albania’s history crystalized in black and white with small pull outs and folded sections.
I see a lot of photography. Once a specific talent level has been identified or established, I find myself looking more at the person than the projects. What else is there? Who else is there? With Zeni I found a calm, humble young man with a smile and an incredible head of hair. (Seriously, great hair.) But I also found someone driven by a need to document and not just for himself.
Bio
2024 Zine, Pararoja, Albania
2024 Inside Out, Magnum Learn, Albania
2022 Tulla Culture Center, Tirane, Albania
2020 Flashback, Zeta Gallery, Albania
2020 Copezat, Reja, Tirane, Albania
2018 The sky made of panels, Linz, Austria
2018 Zeta Gallery, Tirane, Albania
2018 Shprese, COD, Tirane, Albania
2017 FAB Gallery, Tirane, Albania
2017 University of Arts, Pristine, Kosovo
2017 Mesenjtorja, Korce, Albania
2016 University of Arts, North Macedonia
2016 Timpan, FAB Gallery, Tirane, Albania
Selected exhibitions
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©Zeni Alia