Çejzi
Doruntina Ukimeri

Çejzi by Doruntina Ukimeri is a project that revisits the traditional practice of "çejzi", a collection of handcrafted items symbolizing wealth, historically prepared by women as part of their dowry. This tradition, deeply tied to material inheritance and reflecting patriarchal gender norms, has evolved over time, becoming commodified and altering the relationship between women and labor, particularly in the 20th century.

Ukimeri explores this transformation through paper filigree, her chosen artistic medium. By reinterpreting recurring motifs found in traditional çejzi items, she highlights their aesthetic elements and reimagines them in a contemporary form. Her work bridges the historical and the modern, offering a fresh perspective on cultural heritage and its adaptation. The project culminated in an exhibition and an open discussion addressing the intersection of art and tradition, thus encouraging dialogue on the evolving meanings of çejzi in today's context.