Eshref Qahili

Eshref Qahili (born 1960) is a Kosovan painter and former professor of drawing at the University of Pristina. His work has been exhibited domestically and abroad, including in U.S. embsasies. )

Early life and education Qahili was born in Rahovicë in the Presheva Valley. He completed secondary art education in Peja in 1978. He graduated in painting from the Academy of Arts in Prishtina in 1983, where he studied under Rexhep Ferri. He completed postgraduate studies at the same institution in 1997.

Career Qahili works in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Since 1992, he has presented solo and group exhibitions in Kosovo and abroad, including in France, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania, Cyprus, and the United States. He has exhibited at institutions including the National Gallery of Kosovo, the National Museum of Albania, and the National Gallery of North Macedonia.

He has worked as a professor of drawing at the University of Prishtina.

Exhibitions Selected solo exhibitions include:

2025 – Vija, vazhdimi i pikës (The Line, Continuation of the Point), FAB Gallery, Tirana, Albania 2022 – Children's Museum Retrospective, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo 2020 – Memories of Kosovo, Orléans, France 2018 – University of Massachusetts Gallery, Boston, United States 2014 – Galerie Espace 26 Denfert Rochereau, Paris, France 2014 – Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus 2007 – Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, North Macedonia 2002 – National Gallery of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo 2002 – National Museum, Tirana, Albania 1992 – ARS Gallery, Prishtina, Kosovo

Institutional context and publications He has presented solo exhibitions at institutions including the National Gallery of North Macedonia in Skopje, the National Museum of Albania in Tirana, Pavillion of Durrës International Contemporary Art Biennale and venues in Paris and Boston.

His work is included in Small Is Beautiful: Contemporary Art from Kosovo.

Published books and catalogues

Qahili, Nita. Children’s Museum: Eshref Qahili. Prishtina: Galeria Qahili, 2022. ISBN 9789951907903. Qahili, Nita (ed.). The Line, Continuation of the Point. Prishtina: Hyllix, 2026. ISBN 9789951920346. Mulliqi, Luan (ed.). Kosova Feniks. Tirana: Onufri, 2005. ISBN 9789992753460. Sarajevske sveske, nos. 45–46. Sarajevo: Mediacentar, 2015. ISSN 1512-8539. Small Is Beautiful: Contemporary Art from Kosovo. Luciano Benetton Collection (Imago Mundi). Contemporary Art of Kosovo. National Gallery of Kosovo, 2000.

International Contemporary Artists, vol. 8. 2014.

Other projects In 2013, Qahili founded Galeria Qahili in Prishtina. The gallery was established on 6 May 2013 as a private contemporary art space. Since its establishment, it has organized exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and artist residencies.