Lisja Tërshana, co-founder and curator of Khrais–Tërshana, discusses the founding of her art dealership and production studio based in London with operations between Tirana and Krakow. She describes the contrasting art markets in Poland, Albania, and London, noting Poland's strong institutional scene, Albania's emerging infrastructure, and London's established yet innovative market. Tërshana also shares her unconventional background—moving from law school to Central Saint Martins—and how her legal training informs her approach to art dealing, emphasizing fairness, trust, and mediation between artists and collectors.
This interview matters because it highlights the growing internationalization of the art market, particularly the emergence of new dealerships bridging established hubs like London with developing scenes in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Tërshana's cross-disciplinary journey from law to art underscores how diverse professional backgrounds can enrich the art world, while her focus on curation alongside commerce reflects a broader trend of dealers acting as cultural mediators rather than purely transactional agents. The article also sheds light on the challenges and opportunities of building art infrastructure in regions like Albania, offering insights into alternative models for market development.