Rron Qena

Rron Qena (b. 1979) lives and works between Prishtinë, Kosovë and Bremen, Germany. Qena’s affection for painting was shaped by his close relationship with his father, Agim Qena, a renowned caricaturist in Kosova. His work explores the simplicity of life, isolation, global and social issues, as well beauty. One of his earliest series in the 1990s, titled "Sleep," involved sketching and analyzing his closest family members while they slept, in essence capturing their dreams through painting. In the early 2000s, the act of painting itself became central to Qena, leading to the creation of the series "My Confusion is Oh So Clear," inspired by the musician Tom Waits. This period was characterized by a focus on the process rather than the subject matter, resulting in works that embodied a sense of confusion. Another significant series, "Fading City," emerged from the issue of air pollution in Kosovo, with paintings that gradually fade, prompting the question: What remains when the colors start to disappear?

Qena's series "Behind the Walls" draws inspiration from the high, colorful walls of houses in Shkodër, Albania which resemble fresco paintings. This series delves into themes of isolation, closure, and the curiosity about what lies hidden behind these barriers. Rron Qena connects these works with the history of Shkodër and the isolation of Kosova. His extensive artistic practice also includes numerous works that do not belong to any cycle. They are a result of personal experiences and research interest. In this vast field, there are works that explore nature and the human character through portraits, treat landscapes in a poetic manner as a universal motive, and boldly display the mastery of drawing as a passion and personal narrative. Some of his shows include “Sleep / Gjumi”, Rizoma Gallery, Prishtinë, Kosovë 2006, “Tears of Europe”, Galerie Ardes, Berlin, 2011, “Rron Qena in Paris” Coffee Gallery Rouge, Paris, 2012, “Bremen persönlich” PiB, Bremen, 2023 etc.