Kemil Bekteši (b. 1997, Belgrade) is a Bosnian/Kosovar visual artist whose work engages deeply with themes of identity, geopolitics, and nationality. He holds a master's degree (2021) and a bachelor’s degree (2020) from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, where he was honored with the Golden Badge for outstanding academic achievements. In 2018/19, Bekteši studied contemporary art at the Faculdade de Belas Artes do Porto (Portugal). His artistic practice spans a variety of media, including public interventions, objects, and installations, with a particular focus on site- and time-specific works. His art often reflects the cultural and political overlaps between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo — countries he has personally navigated throughout his life. Bekteši's exploration of societal issues is often centered around the complex relations between nations, cultures, and histories, and how these are expressed in contemporary visual forms. His work examines both interpersonal and geopolitical dynamics, positioning him as a reflective voice in the ongoing discourse on regional identity. In 2023, he participated in the WHW Academy in Zagreb, Croatia.
Bekteši has been recognized with several accolades, including the 2024 ZVONO Art Award for Young Visual Artists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was a finalist for the 2022 MANGELOS Award (YVAA) in Belgrade.
Alongside his artistic practice, he teaches Painting at an Art High School in Sarajevo, where he currently lives.
"Atlantis: Intermezzo" Atelier Ismet Mujezinović, Tuzla, BiH, 2024.
“The Favored” Contemporary Gallery Subotica, Serbia, 2023.
"At the monument at 7" KULA, Belgrade, Serbia, 2023.
“ETNOS I EROS" Dom omladine, Belgrade, Serbia, 2022.
“Making two site-specific wall drawings by Sol LeWitt” Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo, BiH, 2021.
“Dear Santa Claus” Youth Center Skenderija (ex Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art), Sarajevo, BiH, 2021.
“Three rooms and the backyard” Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo, BiH, 2021.
“BEKTEŠI” Brodac gallery, Sarajevo, BiH, 2021.
“Sin thesis”, Artistic activist collective Odron, Sarajevo BiH, 2019.
“Suit of Fire” KRAK, Bihać, BiH, 2024.
“Gasterbeiter 2.1” Manifesto, Gallery of Contemporary Arts, Sarajevo, BiH, 2024.
"Questions of Belonging" Staklopan, Belgrade, Serbia, 2024.
"Selling out" MIDAS - Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2024.
“Gasterbeiter 2.0” nGbK, Berlin, Germany, 2024.
"DÉMODÉ" SKC, Rijeka, Croatia, 2023.
"Nesvrstani" Lauba, Zagreb, Croatia, 2023.
"POV" Manifesto, Gallery of Contemporary Arts, Sarajevo, BiH, 2022.
“New Wave”, Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, BiH, 2022.
“MANGELOS Award (YVAA) - Finalist exhibition” Remont gallery, Belgrade, Serbia. 2022.
“Under your gaze”, U10 gallery, Belgrade, Serbia, 2022.
“Summer Vibes: The City”, Novembar gallery, Belgrade, Serbia, 2022.
“ZVONO Award (YVAA) - Finalist exhibition” KRAK, Bihać, BiH, 2022.
“Ar(t)lantis”, Novembar gallery, Belgrade, Serbia, 2022.
"Youth Biennial" Belgrade, Serbia, 2021.
“Score #1 Ten ballets (of oscillation)”, Historical museum, Sarajevo,BiH, 2020.
“No pressure” Artistic activist collective Odron, Sarajevo, BiH, 2019.
"Residency Unlimited" New York City, USA, 2025. (Upcoming)
"KUN" Artist residency in Valjevo, Serbia, 2021.
"Every end is the Beginning and Vice Versa" Historical Museum, Sarajevo, BiH, 2023.
"Pecha Kucha Night" Sarajevo, BiH 2021.
"Art Summer School, 4th edition - Borders and Migrations" Kuma Intrentional, Sarajevo, BiH, 2021.
"Whimsical city" Ateleir Ismet Mujezinović, Tuzla, BiH, 2021.
"Whimsical city" Ateleir Ismet Mujezinović, Tuzla, BiH, 2021.
Harpers Bazaar Serbia, 2023. (Printed Issue)
Vanity Fair Italia, 2022. (Printed Issue)
uKONTAKTu, 2023.