Ylli Haruni
Artist Statement/Bio
A native of Albania, Ylli Haruni graduated from the prestigious Academy of Arts in Tirana in 1976. He went on to achieve national recognition and acclaim with numerous paintings featured in the permanent collection of the Albanian National Art Gallery and Museum. National honors continued to be bestowed upon Haruni in the following decade as the Albanian National Assembly awarded him the Medal Naim Frasheri in 1985 (Scenographer) and 1989 (Artist). In 1991, Haruni moved to Greece, where he continued to hone his impressionist skills before emigrating to the United States in 1994. His paintings and finely detailed drawings featuring landscapes, portraits, and still life were fixtures at the International Artexpo in the U.S. and Canada from 2005 to 2013.
The impressionist artist, who has 50 years of experience teaching in art schools and plein air workshops in Europe, the U.S., and Canada, remains active in his studio and enjoys painting outdoors all year round in the upper midwest region. He currently resides in the Minneapolis area, using it as his canvas to capture the splendor of nature and the rich history of Minnesota through his artwork."