Born in 1986 in Kostërc (Kosovo), Petrit Halilaj lives and works in-between Germany, Kosovo and Italy.
All images Courtesy the artist and kamel mennour, Paris/London
His work is deeply connected with the recent history of his country, and the consequences of the political and cultural tensions in the region. But while confronting a collective memory, his work often originates from a personal experience and it is usually the result of an intimate process and a shared moment with someone he loves. His unique, and sometimes irreverent, way to playfully confront the essence of reality results in a deep reflection on memory, freedom, cultural identity and life discoveries.

Petrit Halilaj
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017

Petrit Halilaj
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017

Petrit Halilaj
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017

Petrit Halilaj
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017
Exhibition view, New Museum, New York 2017

Petrit Halilaj
Poisoned by men in need of some love
Installation view at Wiels –Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels, 2013
Photo: Kristien Daem
Poisoned by men in need of some love
Installation view at Wiels –Contemporary Art Centre, Brussels, 2013
Photo: Kristien Daem

Petrit Halilaj
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarinas in clay, stones
Variable dimensions
View of the exhibition « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarinas in clay, stones
Variable dimensions
View of the exhibition « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014

Petrit Halilaj
Abetare, 2015
Views of the exhibition, Kölnischer Kunstverein, 2015
Abetare, 2015
Views of the exhibition, Kölnischer Kunstverein, 2015

Petrit Halilaj
Exhibition view, Fondazione Merz, Turin 2018
Exhibition view, Fondazione Merz, Turin 2018

Petrit Halilaj
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarina in clay, stone
200 x 13,8 x 76 cm
View of the exhibition (detail) « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarina in clay, stone
200 x 13,8 x 76 cm
View of the exhibition (detail) « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014

Petrit Halilaj
Fondazione Mario Merz, 2018
Fondazione Mario Merz, 2018

Petrit Halilaj
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarinas in clay, stones
Variable dimensions
View of the exhibition « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014
Si Okarina e Runikut, 2014
Brass, ocarinas in clay, stones
Variable dimensions
View of the exhibition « Yes but the sea is attached to the earth and it never floats around in space. The stars would turn off and what about my planet? », kamel mennour, Paris, 2014

Petrit Halilaj
ABETARE (Eye)
steel
45 x 69 x 12 cm
ABETARE (Eye)
steel
45 x 69 x 12 cm

Petrit Halilaj and Alvaro Urbano
installation view, 2020 Art Quadriennale FUORI
courtesy Fondazione La Quadriennale di Roma
Photo: DSL Studio
installation view, 2020 Art Quadriennale FUORI
courtesy Fondazione La Quadriennale di Roma
Photo: DSL Studio

Petrit Halilaj
View of the exhibition « To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in love. », Museo Reina Sofía – Palacio de Cristal, Madrid.
View of the exhibition « To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in love. », Museo Reina Sofía – Palacio de Cristal, Madrid.