Edi Hila

This catalog explores the life and work of Edi Hila, an Albanian painter whose art reflects profound truths about transformation and identity in Eastern Europe.

This catalog serves as a companion to the first retrospective exhibition focused on the works of Edi Hila, an influential Albanian painter who has remained relatively underappreciated in the Eastern European art scene. The exhibition, titled Edi Hila: Painter of Transformation, showcases Hila's unique perspective on the Eastern European experience, emphasizing profound truths rather than sensational narratives. Through his art, Hila invites viewers to engage with a nuanced understanding of transformation and identity in a region marked by political upheaval.

The catalog delves into pivotal moments from Hila's artistic journey, highlighting his controversial 1972 piece, Planting of Trees. This work, which diverged from the norms of socialist realism through its innovative use of color and form, resulted in Hila's punishment and forced labor in a poultry processing plant. During this challenging period, he secretly created the Poultry series, a collection of raw and poignant drawings that captured the lives of the workers around him, revealing both their struggles and resilience.

As the publication progresses, it traces Hila's evolution through the 1990s, a time of significant change in Albania following the fall of Enver Hoxha's regime. The catalog concludes with a reflection on his current practice, which critically examines the complexities of transformation, often revealing the limitations and challenges that accompany it. Richly illustrated with previously unpublished works, Edi Hila aims to solidify Hila's status as a master painter, both regionally and internationally.