Paskali’s best sculptures promoted in photo album

TIRANA, September 22 – A photo album featuring the best works of Odhise Paskali, the country’s best-known sculptor, was promoted last weekend in a ceremony held at the Culture Ministry. The “Best of Paskali” album contains some of Paskali’s most famous photos of the sculptures he created during his 60-year career.
The album was compiled by the late sculptor’s daughter, Floriana Paskali, an art critic.
Speaking during the promotion ceremony, Culture Minister Ferdinand Xhaferaj said the album which includes Paskali’s best creations, brings him closer to the public with his passion to sculpture to which he dedicated all his life.
The “Best of Paskali” was published in March 2010. The catalogue includes a variety of works such as monuments, portraits, reliefs, and medallions as well as Paskali’s biography, says the sculptor’s website.
Considered one the most outstanding artists in Albania, Paskali graduated in philosophical studies at the University of Turin, Italy in 1927.
After his graduation, he stayed in Turin for another year to study sculpture with Ruffino.
Upon his return to Tirana, Paskali became one the founders of Albanian sculpture, laying the foundations of monumental sculpture.
He became very involved in many art-related organizations and dedicated his life to the development of art in Albania. Paskali has been awarded very prestigious titles for his artistic work. His monumental sculptures are placed on main squares of major cities in Albania. Photographs of his work are used on the Albanian passport, currency, stamps, postcards and other governmental publications.
Paskali was a sculptor, poet, essayist, translator, publisher and academician.
He spoke Latin, ancient and modern Greek, Italian, French, German and English.
His collection includes 523 sculptures and 810 essays.