Eduart Luan Sinaj

Mosaic maker

Mosaics, a unique and immortal art

Eduart has been practising his craft since the late 1980s
His greatest mosaic is located in a church in Venice
For him, mosaic making is unique because it brings together many crafts

When Eduart Luan Sinaj was a teacher at Tirana high school for the arts in 1984, he started making mosaics. Even though Eduart has made hundreds of stained-glass windows, mosaics for 58 churches in several countries, and other mosaic creations, he still becomes emotional when he begins drawing on a new mosaic piece. "The uniqueness of mosaic making lies in the many stages of the making process, as it combines many crafts such as glassblowing, welding, painting, and so on," he says. His wife collaborates with him significantly on the design of the mosaics, and Eduart handles each stage of the making process. "People go to church every day and that is where they experience delight and beauty when they view my mosaics," says Eduart. Giving people joy in this way gives him a feeling of reward. He uses high-quality Venetian mosaic tiles, which contribute to the mosaics' longevity and beauty.

Interview

Is there something about your craft that surprises people?: People are often unaware of the multitude of techniques, materials and professions involved in creating mosaics. I would like to draw attention to one fact, which I am sure not everyone knows about: that mosaics are made in reverse. A mosaic appears to be worked from the front when seen, yet this is not the case.
In what way is your craft linked to the territory?: Albania is a small country, but it is rich in mosaics and has a large distribution in different cities. The earliest was found in Durrës city. It was made in 300 BC, and it is made of colourful stones. It is called the Beauty of all the Mosaics that have been discovered so far in Albania, because of the charm of the image and the skill of the artistic realisation.
What do you suggest to young craftspeople who want to practise mosaic making?: This profession has countless difficulties since it involves many processes. Young people who aspire to making mosaics should, in my opinion, work with great passion and commitment and demonstrate patience and humility. The heart feels full after creating a mosaic, even if it takes a lot of work.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?: Finishing the mosaic in the Sacra Famiglia church in Verona, Italy, is a moment that I can proudly say has satisfied me professionally. This mosaic, which covers an area of 80 square metres, took me about two years to complete. It is a wonderful success that I will always remember and cherish.

Eduart Luan Sinaj is a master artisan: he began his career in 1980 and he started teaching in 2008