Kosovo Pavilion – 55th Biennale di Venezia. June 1st – November 24th 2013

Petrit Halilaj's artistic practice is driven by a constant search of what reality is and how reality might be represented through art. His memories of a rural childhood, his personal experience of war, destruction, exodus and displacement are the very basis of his reflections on life and the human condition. The artist moves back and forth between different countries: between Kosovo, where he grew up and where his family and many friends are; Italy, where he studied; and Berlin, where he is temporarily based. This transnational way of life not only adds to his experience, but also reflects Petrit Halilaj's specific way of exploring art and reality, and of his continuing attempts to translate or even transform the one into the other. As such Halilaj's art builds bridges between different worlds, perceptions, ideologies, generations and phases of life.

Petrit Halilaj is born in Kostërrc (Skenderaj-Kosovo) in 1986. Lives and works in Berlin, Kosovo and Italy. Solo Exhibitions include: WIELS Contemporary Art Center, Brussels; National Gallery of Prishtina (upcoming 2013); "Who does the earth belong to while painting the wind?!", Kunsthalle Sankt Gallen (2012); Kunstraum Innsbruck; Statement, Art Basel (2011); “Back to the Future”, Stacion, Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina; Chert, Berlin (2009).