On January 20, 2025, as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Tirana marked this historic moment with the opening of “TRIUMPH,” an exhibition by renowned Albanian artist Avni Delvina.
The artist’s 55 graphic works are inspired by what Donald Trump represents, featuring iconic American symbols and historical figures such as Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, Ronald Reagan, and even modern personalities like Elon Musk.
“Coincidentally, ‘Triumph’ and ‘Trump’ appeared often in major American newspapers. My son noticed the TR in red and blue, played with the words, and combined them into ‘Triumph’ and ‘Trump.’ It’s a uniquely Albanian twist that fits perfectly,” the artist explained.
A strong supporter of Donald Trump, Delvina uses his art to explore the impact of the U.S. president on global politics and cultural shifts in today’s era.
“This came about because of the colossal opposition from the global left against Donald Trump. Initially, I didn’t have much knowledge or direct sympathy for him—he was just a charismatic man, a showman, a tycoon. But when I witnessed a terrifying alignment of the media, reminiscent of the communist dictatorship era, I immediately thought: there’s something here, and I aligned myself with the other side. It started with a few drawings. His victory was astonishing, and from then on, I began to believe in him. People often say, ‘the painter of Donald Trump.’ No. I’m your painter too, and the painter of everyone else. I’m there, and we all find a spirit of freedom in this. If you look closely, there’s great joy across the world. Something big is expected—great changes are on the horizon,” Delvina said.
In “Triumph,” the artist’s irony is evident, as are depictions of Trump’s political opponents.
“I began with my sketches since I’m a skilled draftsman. Then, naturally, an Italian painter told me: painting isn’t enough—you need other expressive tools to say everything that painting alone cannot. That’s how I started experimenting with Photoshop. These things evolve naturally, without premeditation,” Delvina shared.
One striking work depicts European leaders smiling in a lifeboat as illegal immigrants, wearing bright orange life vests, while Trump, dressed in a tuxedo, plays the violin.
This exhibition will remain open until January 26 at the Pyramid in Tirana.
