Transnationalism and migration: the concept of home in post-communist Albanian diasporas

This practice-based research aims to present the concept of home in post-Communist Albanian diasporas, particularly focussing on linking home to particular places, multiple homes, loss of home, how an old home transfers to a new home and the creation of a new home, as well as how such concepts can be represented in a body of creative practice. The research introduces the historical causes of Albanian migration, especially highlighting migration after the fall of Communism in order to understand in depth the causes of the most dramatic mass migration in modern Albanian history. The context of Albanian art is also considered: first through Socialist Realist art, which was widely practiced during the Communist regime, and played a significant role in transforming the concept of home and Albanian identity. Secondly, through contemporary art after the fall of Communism, where I focus on some artists whose work is relevant to my subject matter. Interviews have been conducted to investigate the ways in which these Albanian contemporary artists have dealt with the concept of home. Transnationalism is discussed and analysed from the perspective of contemporary Albanian migration in terms of the political, economic and socio-cultural aspects. Furthermore, theorising the concept of home has led to a focus in my practical work on the physical space, social relationships and positive emotional attachments. My art practice takes the form of a series of oil paintings which are a reaction to and build upon this theoretical and practical basis. The paintings are described and analysed as research outputs considering how technical aspects such as shape, size, composition, and colour are used and experimented with to investigate transnationalism and the concept of home. Following discussion of exhibitions of the body of work, it is concluded that art practice is a suitable medium to respond to and open debate on such turbulent personal and emotional contemporary issues.