Albanian artist Ledy Zeqo paints the amazons of the modern world. Zeqo describes her art as “The Superman to my Clark Kent.” Each piece portrays her alter ego, inspired by female role models she meets in everyday life. Having been raised in a post-dictatorial society in Albania, Zeqo was never encouraged to follow her dreams and her creative efforts were met with skepticism. The paintings express her ideal self, a strong independent woman who refuses to be unhappy and does not like to take herself too seriously; a comicality that is reflected in the imagery as well as titles of the pieces. In Serenity the artist’s doppelganger stands in a quaint manicured garden carrying a swan, a phallic looking gun tucked into her garter. Sweet Head depicts a female figure wearing a giant raspberry instead of a hat surrounded by flying bees. As the juice drips on her face, she licks it with her tongue in a defiant gesture, secure in her confident sexuality. Taking cues from Surrealism and Absurdism, Zeqo creates augmented realities where women clasp the scepter of power and get the attention and respect that they deserve.

Zeqo has a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Political Regional Studies from the University of Tirana. She lives and works in New York City.