The retrospective exhibition of the painter Guri Madhi opens in the Tirana Art Gallery, most of the works are presented for the first time

The works of the painter Guri Madhi, an important personality of the art world in our country, are part of the exhibition at the Tirana Art Gallery. GAT opened the retrospective exhibition of the painter Guri Madhi, with works starting from 1937 to 1988. On Tuesday evening, the exhibition opened with the participation of various artists, the director of GAT dr. Abaz Hado, the painter's family members, etc., where he also greeted Gea Madhi, the painter's niece. For dr. Abaz Hadon if today we have a University of Arts, where year after year young artists are prepared and encouraged to continue their path in art, this is thanks to an important personality of the art world of the 60s in our country, the artist Guri Madhi . Dr. Hado says that Guri Madhi is the artist who dedicated most of his creativity to Albania, everyday life, war, culture, heritage, history and all the surprises that she brought to this country from time to time. "And already before the eyes of an increasingly dispersed public, a cultural development that is sometimes chaotic, a digital age with virtual communities and great physical distances, this exhibition is placed, with previously undiscovered works of this extraordinary artist ! In this case, the public will be introduced to creations, most of which are unknown until now", said dr. Hado. Pandi Madhi, the painter's son, says that the exhibition at GAT was opened on the occasion of March 7 and the 35th anniversary of the painter's death. "A special thanks to the Municipality of Tirana and to GAT, who committed themselves and supported the realization of this exhibition. In the GAT, the exhibition contains works from the period from 1937 to 1988. Most of them are presented for the first time", he says. The exhibition contains works in different techniques, in painting, graphics, pastel, carbon and pencil.

 Works over the years

In the period of 1936-1945, Guri Madhi made dozens of portraits (perhaps more), both from nature and enlargements of photographs. This exhibition presents some of these drawings, which belong to those years, among which is the portrait of the fiancee. Also presented are 2 of his illustrations, from 1936, part of Ilo Mitke Qafëzezi's book "Dhaskal Gjoka". The higher studies in St. Petersburg and their "odlicno" (brilliant) conclusion gave the painter the hope and incentive to continue the path of art and, why not, success. Most of the oil paintings and other techniques realized during the academic teaching program are located in the museum fund of the St. Petersburg Academy. In the compositions on historical events, there are a number of drawings and sketches, that were realized later (some of these compositions have disappeared over the years, especially in the Albanian transition), such as: "Ali Kelmendi with workers", "Before the shooting", "Battle of Mushqetase", etc. Over the years, Guri Madhi created many portraits in oil colors dedicated to the family, as well as many sketches and drawings, some of which are presented in the exhibition. There are many works in oil by the painter dedicated to the Adriatic and Ionian seas, or Lake Ohrid. This exhibition also presents some drawings, pastels made directly in nature, etc. There are also some sketches, drawings, portraits, made during the stay in Kosovo, but also after returning from it. In the years 1960-1968 there are several works in painting, which reflect his direction towards abstractionism. And some of these works were discovered after his death. For the simple reason that they were hidden from the author, right there in his work studio. The personal exhibition of June 1987 showed the next change in his style. His last work, then titled "Painter's Anxiety" (May 1988), marks his return to abstract art. Guri Madhi (May 15, 1921 - June 1988) in 1976 received the highest artistic title "People's Painter".