Established artist Zeqirja Rexhepi created this series of paintings through the various phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Creating art in this challenging time has been an essential outlet for the artist. His studio has functioned as a sanctuary while there is so much uncertainty and pain in the world.  Make an appointment to see COVID-XIX [A 2020/2021 Archive] in person or watch the video tour on YouTube:

Of the work in this exhibition, Rexhepi writes:
Canada’s East Coast has mostly weathered the COVID storm well, but my concern and fear for family and friends in countries harder hit (like my homeland of Kosovo) is channeled through these pieces. I have tried to capture the hope and joy that I wish for the world in 2021 and into the future, but it has been impossible to escape the darkness and harsh reality that we find ourselves in which comes through in the shadows and high contrast depicted in this series of paintings.

The play between colour, light and dark captures the happiness we take and find with our families even in these challenging conditions and acknowledges the unprecedented darkness of this period in history. Similar to the work I created in the wake of 9/11, the female faces and figures in this series represent the caregivers and front-line workers that are supporting and caring for our most vulnerable people all over the world. Two of my daughters are healthcare workers, and I wanted to honour them, as well as all others working in healthcare and emergency services all over the world.

Zeqirja Rexhepi was born in 1955 in the small village of Perlepnica, Gjilan, Kosova. He is a proud father of sixand a grandfather of sixteen grandchildren. Professionally, Zeqirja was the chief textile designer for Europe’s second-largest textile mill. He widely exhibited his paintings in Kosova and abroad and was commissioned as a muralist to create frescoes for churches and mosques. His most accomplished mural is Albanian Persecution, 1846, (1991) in the Church of Binqa in Gjilan, Kosova.

Since Zeqirja’s arrival to Canada, he has had many solo and group exhibitions, notable exhibits include those opened at Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery, Pier 21, Nova Scotia Art Gallery, National Defense Head Quarters,  Aviation Museum Gallery, Dalhousie University Art Gallery, Canada Place Vancouver, Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo, Artusiasm Gallery Toronto, and the Kosovo Consulate in Toronto. Zeqirja has completed many mural commissions in Nova Scotia including the Tall Ships mural in downtown Halifax and a series of eight murals at Alderney Landing based on historic Dartmouth. His artistic credibility landed him an opportunity to be a part of a judges panel for the Canadian Air Forces Artists Program and was chosen to feature in CBC’s nationally aired Art Spots. He currently provides training and guidance for his students, some of whom he’s had the pleasure of teaching for many years.

Located inside the Visual Arts Nova Scotia office at the Halifax Seaport since 2000, the Corridor Gallery is complimented by a historical legacy of Nova Scotia culture, simple yet modern architectural elements and an array of current cultural activity in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia office. The Corridor Gallery is located at 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, a city situated on unceded Mi’kmaq territory.

Due to COVID-19 the VANS office will be open to the public by appointment during this exhibition. All visitors to the office must wear a mask, practice distancing, and sanitize hands upon arrival. In consideration of the size of the office and the Corridor Gallery, one visitor is permitted at a time.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia advances the visual arts through leadership, education, and communication.

High resolution image for press available via Dropbox. See more of Zeqirja Rexhepi’s work on his website www.zeqirja.com and Instagram: @zeqirjarexhepi.

For further information or to make an appointment to view the exhibition please contact:
Carri MacKay
Programming Coordinator, Visual Arts Nova Scotia
communicate@visualarts.ns.ca | www.visualarts.ns.ca