The largest contemporary art gallery in Tirana, GOCAT, created by Mane Foundation, has opened its doors to a new exhibition titled "Life and Death" by Kosovo’s artist Faton Kryeziu. This is the artist's first solo exhibition in Albania and will be open until May 25.

The title itself says a lot—this exhibition explores the duality of life and death, the weight these two ideas carry for human beings, and the undeniable truth that both the beginning and the end of our journey are beyond any mystery.

Faton Kryeziu presents his personal experiences during and after the Kosovo War—as a person and as an artist who has witnessed “fields, burning houses, and plants growing again from scorched earth.” For him, the war is closely tied to death, just as Kosovo’s independence, declared on February 17, 2008, is tied to life.

At the opening ceremony, Faton Kryeziu shared his creative process, describing it as a journey through time, shaped by careful observation.

“I’m truly a good observer, and I’ve had a lot to see in my country, Kosovo. Everything I’ve seen—since I was a child until the day Kosovo became independent—has been transferred onto the canvas with honesty and objectivity,” he said.

Suzana Varvarica Kuka, the curator of “Life and Death,” called GOCAT the perfect space for showcasing Kryeziu’s work.

“GOCAT is one of the most beautiful galleries in Tirana—not only in its original concept… It creates emotional experiences for artists, curators, critics, and the audience,” she said, even comparing it to leading galleries around the world.

The exhibition features 25 paintings, all expressing a balance of deep thought, color, and figurative content.

Among the works, two stand out: a self-portrait of the artist and a portrait of the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. These two paintings form the final diptych of the exhibition. Through them, Kryeziu expresses his belief that the legacy of meaningful work and creativity never truly dies.

GOCAT is a space where art lovers can visit for free, and artists are only asked to bring passion and originality.

Faton Kryeziu’s exhibition at GOCAT follows 20 previous solo shows, held in places like Prizren, the National Gallery of Art in Pristina, the Brucke Gallery in Germany, and the Dalek Gallery in Belgium.

Over 400 of his works are part of private collections around the world, including in the USA, Bahrain, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, and North Macedonia.