Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, a trained artist who studied at Tirana's Academy of Fine Arts and worked in Paris before entering politics, has been added to the roster of Berlin gallery Société. The gallery debuted his colorful pen-and-oil drawings and painted bronze sculptures at Frieze London in October 2025 and Art Basel Paris, where around half of the drawings sold. Rama, who has exhibited at the Centre Pompidou and twice at the Venice Biennale, continues to create art while serving his fourth term as prime minister.
This development matters because it blurs the line between political power and the art world, raising questions about the use of art as a tool for image rehabilitation. Rama's government has faced multiple corruption scandals, and critics like Albanian artist Armando Lulaj argue that his art activity is a PR stunt to clean up his reputation. The gallery's representation of a sitting head of state also highlights the art market's willingness to embrace controversial figures, sparking debate about ethics, access, and the commodification of political identity.