Vangjel Gjikondi Art

Vangjel Gjikondi was born on August 20, 1958, in Tirana, Albania, with family roots in the coastal region of Qeparo. He studied Monumental Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts (Akademia e Arteve) in Tirana, where he graduated in 1982.

From 1983 to 1993, he worked at the historic Kinostudio “Shqipëria e Re”, first in the animation department and later as a costume painter in more than ten major Albanian film productions, including Duaje emrin tënd, Nxënësit e klasës time, Treni niset në 7 pa 5, and Pranverë e hidhur.

Starting in the mid-1980s, he began participating in national and international exhibitions. In 1984, he took part in the Biennale of Alexandria (Egypt), and from 1985 onwards he frequently exhibited at the National Gallery of Arts in Tirana. Between 1998 and 2000, he held solo exhibitions in Paris (at Perieas House, through the Albanian Embassy), as well as through the VEVE Foundation in Albania.

Throughout his artistic career, he created more than 3,000 original works, including portraits, landscapes, illustrations, and complex historical compositions. His distinctive style blends vibrant colors, expressive alla prima brushwork, and strong influences from the European Renaissance.

One of his greatest achievements ...

1. Title: Biennale of Alexandria
Year: 1984
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
Details: Participated in the international art Biennale as a representative artist of Albania.
2. Title: Group and Solo Exhibitions – National Gallery of Arts
Year: 1985–1995
Location: Tirana, Albania
Details: Took part in several group and solo exhibitions organized by the National Gallery of Arts.
3. Title: Personal Exhibition – Perieas House
Year: 1999
Location: Paris, France
Details: Solo exhibition organized at Perieas House with support from the Albanian Embassy in France.
4. Title: “Historia e Skënderbeut” (The History of Skanderbeg)
Year: 2018
Location: National Historical Museum, Tirana, Albania
Details: Major solo exhibition featuring a historical painting cycle of 55–60 oil paintings dedicated to the life of national hero Skanderbeg