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

The project investigates, through practice-based research, the concept of home as a facet of identity after the collapse of communism in Albania and the resulting transformation of the concept of home arising from the newfound transnationalism. The current trend of globalization constantly questions the concepts of identity, culture, and nationality, making it no longer easy to define the nature of the local and the international, rather the transnational is taking on greater importance. Within this context, the research asks what constitutes home in post-Communist Albanian diasporas in Germany and the UK, particularly focussing on the location of home, loss of home, new homes, or multiple homes, and how such concepts can be represented in a body of creative practice. I have created a body of work which draws similarities and reveals differences between the countries and cultures in question in relation to their role in the concept of transnational home. In creating this body of work, I have exploited the process and form of creative practice and sought to understand how they might influence answers to the research questions. Insights gained through the creative process allowed for critical reflection on the body of work, which then fed into the development of future work. As a whole, the body of creative practice aimed to clarify past and future perspectives of this transnationalism, and merge the idea of home in more than one place for transnational migrants.

Dr. Dashamir Vaqarri

A note about prices

Signed Giclée Limited Edition prints of all the works are available with prices starting at £150 (for a 60 cm high, unframed print; other sizes available, limited-edition prints, each size ed. of 100). Again, please leave your preferred size and contact details. Contact info: email dvaqarri@hotmail.com