Robert Aliaj

Robert Aliaj Dragot (born 18 February 1960) is an Albanian visual artist and singer. He is known for his experimental and interdisciplinary work, which includes painting, performance, music, film, installations, and digital art. Some of his notable works include Discrete Elements, Spring & Stalin, Punch Me, and Homomigratus.^[1] He lives and works between Tirana and Brussels.

Aliaj was born in Tirana into a family of artists. He studied painting at the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum. Following the fall of communism in Albania, he emigrated first to Greece, and later to Belgium.^[2]

He is married to translator Mimoza Dino. They have two children: Gala Dragot, a singer, and Krist Aliaj Dragot, a painter. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

During the 1980s and 1990s, Aliaj was active in both painting and pop music. He later shifted focus toward the visual arts. His work frequently explores themes such as social change, migration, post-communist memory, and institutional critique. From Brussels, he creates using diverse media including painting, performance, video, sound art, and photography.^[6]

He is a frequent commentator on Albanian media, where he addresses cultural and social issues.

Aliaj's work has been exhibited internationally at venues 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)
• Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD), 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

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

Aliaj also participated in several Albanian music festivals.^[7]

• Festivali i Këngës (1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
• Kur Vjen Pranvera (1989, 1990)
• Kënga Magjike (2018) – song: "Ah ku më hodhi Zoti" ^[8]

Aliaj’s artistic language is characterized by strong visual symbols and critical commentary. His works address topics such as identity, consumerism, tradition, politics, sexuality, migration, and collective memory. He often draws connections between Albanian society and broader global phenomena. ^{[9] [10]}