Kemil Bekteši (b. 1997) is a Bosnian-Kosovar visual artist of Gorani origin whose work explores food and migration. His work is often underpinned by themes of identity, geopolitics and cultural memory through a personal history marked by borders and migration. His artistic practice spans a range of media, including food, installation and sculpture, with a particular emphasis on place- and time-specific works. His art often reflects the cultural and political overlaps between the countries of the former Yugoslavia, as he has been personally connected to the region throughout his life. Bekteši’s research into social issues often focuses on the complex relationships 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. He received his MA (2021) and BA (2020) from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, where he was awarded the Golden Badge for Outstanding Academic Achievement. In 2018/19 he studied contemporary art at the Faculdade de Belas Artes do Porto (Portugal), and in 2023 he participated in the WHW Academy in Zagreb, Croatia. Winner of several awards, including the Zvono (YVAA) Award for Young Visual Artists in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, and was a finalist for the Mangelos (YVAA) Award in 2022 in Belgrade. He lives and works in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Slow and Unstoppable" The National Gallery of Kosovo, Prishtina, 2025.
"Malta" Manuš Gallery, Split, Croatia, 2024.
"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.
"SubDokumenta: International Biennale of Visual Arts" Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, BiH, 2025.
"Grids and Islands" RU House, Governors Island, NYC, 2025.
“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.
"Vila 31 x Art Explora" Albania, Tirana, 2026. Upcoming
"Residency Unlimited" New York City, USA, 2025.
"KUN" Artist residency in Valjevo, Serbia, 2021.
ZVONO Award / YVAA – Young Visual Artists Awards, BiH, 2024
WHW Academy, Zagreb, Croatia 2023
Shortlisted: MANGELOS Award / YVAA – Young Visual Artists Awards, Serbia, 2022.
Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for best student on BFA program — Best Student of Painting Department, Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo 2021.
Shortlisted: Zvono Award / YVAA – Young Visual Artists Awards, BiH, 2020
Golden Badge of the University of Sarajevo for best student on MFA program Best Student of Painting Department, Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo , 2020.
"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.
Harpers Bazaar Serbia, 2023. In print
Vanity Fair Italia, 2022. In print
uKONTAKTu, 2023.