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The "painter of light" returns/ Exhibition for the 100th anniversary of Rafail Dembo

2026-04-20 09:53:00, Kulturë CNA

The "painter of light" returns/ Exhibition for the 100th anniversary

A special exhibition dedicated to the distinguished painter Rafail Dembo has opened at the “Guri Madhi” gallery in Korça, in the framework of the 100th anniversary of his birth. An activity that brings back to attention one of the important names of Albanian visual art, who for years has remained somewhat forgotten. Known as the “painter of light”, Rafail Dembo has stood out for his landscapes, where Korça and its fields are at the center.

His work bears visible influences from the Soviet school, as he was among the first Albanian artists to study in the former Soviet Union. This exhibition comes for the first time with a unique concept, bringing to the public not only well-known works, but also works that have not been exhibited before.

According to the exhibition organizer, Aleks Suljoti, this is one of the most important initiatives to bring Korçë painters back to the gallery and introduce them to the younger generations.

" In fact, we are very happy and very proud to bring back the cycle of Korça characters and painters to the gallery. This time comes the deserving painter Rafail Dembo, or the "painter of light". A painter who is commemorated on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. He is a painter who belongs to the Soviet school, as he was one of the first 100 Albanian artists who studied in the former Soviet Union. He has a special contribution and is called the "painter of light" precisely because he dealt with Korça, the Korça Plain and landscapes in his paintings" , said Suljoti.

Suljoti emphasizes that the exhibition dedicated to Dembo is among the most special, not only for its artistic values, but also for the fact that for the first time it brings to the public previously unexhibited works, which are part of the family collection. Its realization required extensive research work in institutions such as the State Archives, the National Library and the funds of the “Guri Madhi” Gallery, to reconstruct the artist’s figure and creativity as fully as possible.

" In fact, it is one of the most special exhibitions that we have brought to the Guri Madhi Gallery, precisely because the painter Rafail Dembo has been forgotten for years and his family had not had any invitation to bring his work. It took me some time to prepare, to do a study at the State Archives, at the Guri Madhi Gallery and the closed fund that we have, as well as at the National Library, to find materials and to finally write an article, a portrait of him, which we can bring to time and let the new generations know. It is an exhibition that comes for the first time, as it has a mixed activity: there are approximately 15 works from the family's closed collection, which are being exhibited for the first time for the public and art lovers of Korça, but there are also some of the works that we have at the Guri Madhi Gallery, both from the closed fund and the open fund ," said the organizer of the exhibition.

The Director of the Center for Art and Culture, Blerta Belliu, considers this exhibition part of a broader cycle that aims to bring back to attention the most important figures of Korçë art. According to her, this cycle has started with well-known names in art and will continue throughout the year, bringing to attention not only valuable artists, but also personalities who have left their mark as citizens and contributors to cultural life.

" Guri Madhi Gallery, in addition to its special fund that it has here, which it renews from time to time, has the pleasure of opening a cycle of portraits of the most famous figures, who have made an extraordinary name not only in Korça, but also beyond it. We started with Vangjush Tushi, a great name, and we continued with Rafael Dembo, for whom this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of his birth. He is an extraordinary figure of visual art, who has inspired other painters, but also us as artists who love his work. Meanwhile, I want to emphasize that, in addition to him, throughout the year we will also have other names, who have been not only valuable painters, but also extraordinary citizens. I believe that this cycle will continue for many years to come ", said Belliu.

Brought to you for the first time in this form, the exhibition for Rafail Dembon brings back to attention not only the work, but also the history of an artist who left his mark on Albanian art. An invitation for art lovers and the younger generations to get to know the "painter of light" more closely, who through his creativity continues to remain an important part of cultural heritage./CNA