Born in 1983 in Kosovo, Lili Tafilaj, also know professionally by her maiden name, Lili  Zhuta, first discovered her love for painting at her summer, lakeside home in Macedonia. Captivated by the colors of the setting sun and the reflections of the mountains around Lake Ohrid, Lili started sketching and painting at a young age.

            Lili attended the University of Prishtina Art Academy, and studied under world renowned artists Esat Valla and Agron Bytyqi (Bytyçi). During her studies as an undergraduate, she received many distinctions for her outstanding performance and unique works. Those include the University of Prishtina Art Academy Scholarship and Dean’s List recognition. Lili continues her studies, and is a Master of Art Degree candidate at the University of Prishtina.

            In 2005 Lili, with friend and colleague Arta Gola, celebrated the opening of  L & A Art Galleries in Prishtina, Kosovo. There Lili continually worked, creating more than 30 oil paintings in the first year alone. The gallery, located in the heart of Kosovo's capital city, allowed Lili the environment to freely express herself.   Lili has held many joint and personal exhibitions throughout Eastern Europe and the United States. Some of those include:

• Students For Students, Prishtina, Kosovo                  2004    
• Colony Art Not Arms, Gjakova, Kosovo                        2004
• Kosovo New Artists Exhibition, Prishtina, Kosovo     2005
• World Bank, Prishtina, Kosovo                                     2005
• World Bank, Tirana, Albania                                          2005
• World Bank, Sarajevo, Bosnia                                      2005
• Hanni 2 Roberteve, Prishtina, Kosovo                        2006

• Albanian National Flag Day Exhibition

Houston, Texas                                                            2006

Lili now lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

http://www.tafilajgroup.com/LiliMain.htm