Robert Aliaj Dragot

Robert Aliaj (born 18 February 1960) is an Albanian visual artist and former singer. He is known for his experimental and interdisciplinary work, which includes painting, performance, music, film, installations, and digital art. Some of his best-known works are Discrete Elements, Spring & Stalin, Punch Me, and Homomigratus. He lives between Tirana and Brussels.

 Personal life 
Aliaj was born in Tirana in a family of artists. He studied painting at the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum. After the fall of communism in Albania, he moved to Greece, and later to Belgium.

He is married to translator Mimoza Dino. They have two children: Gala Dragot, a singer, and Krist, a painter.

 Career 
In the 1980s and 1990s, Robert Aliaj worked in both painting and pop music. He later focused more on visual arts. His work addresses themes such as social change, migration, post-communist memory, and art world criticism. From Brussels, he creates artwork using painting, performance, video, sound art, and photography.

He often appears in Albanian media to discuss cultural and social issues.

 Exhibitions 
His works have been exhibited in many countries, including:

 National Museum Szczecin, Poland (2006, 2009)
 Venice Biennale, 53rd edition (2009)
 International Triennial of Extended Media, Belgrade (2013)
 Musée de la Vie Wallonne, Belgium (2016)
 COD – Center for Openness and Dialogue, Tirana – INEVITABLE (2021)
 The Action Field Kodra, Thessaloniki, Greece (2008)
 Chiesa di San Paolo, Modena, Italy (2005)
 National Gallery of Arts, Tirana (2004) – Discrete Elements

 Selected works 
Some of his known works are:

 Les Deux Moitiés (2007)  
 Spring & Stalin (2008)  
 Punch Me (2013)  
 Homomigratus (2016)  
 Tirana Horizontale (2017)

 Music and festivals 
Aliaj also participated in several music festivals in Albania.

 Festivali i Këngës (1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
 Kur Vjen Pranvera (1989, 1990)
 Kënga Magjike 2018 – song: "Ah ku më hodhi Zoti"

 Style and themes 
His work explores politics, identity, consumer culture, and tradition. He uses strong visuals, symbols, and often includes references to Albanian contemporary life. He also connects his work to global issues such as migration, power, sexuality, and memory.

 References 

Category:1960 births
Category:Living people
Category:Albanian singers