Seven years ago some of Scotland's most famous artists unwittingly saved Shahin Memishi's life.

Frightened and destitute after fleeing war-torn Kosovo, the former art teacher encountered their work during his first few days in Glasgow. Suddenly he realised he and his family had finally found somewhere they could build a new home.

“I clearly remember walking into the Kelvingrove Gallery to shelter from the rain,” he said. “For the first time in years, I saw the harmony of form, colour and light. I had only seen dark, tragic paintings and felt inspired by these wonderful Scottish artists.

“To leave behind all you have is very difficult but if you see good art it is inspirational.”

This Monday Memishi will repay the favour with an portrait exhibition of the artists who brought him salvation. The famous names he has painted include Ally Thomson, John Bellany, Peter Howson, James Robertson, Ken Currie, Alexandra Gardner and Stephen Campbell. Each of the 11 featured artists has also contributed a signature piece that will be displayed alongside their respective portraits.

Marcus Macleod, the curator of the exhibition, said that the project was a first for Scotland. “A lot of the artists had never had their portraits painted. They had posed as models during their art school days, but not since then,” he said.

“They have also found it an incredible experience. Artists usually sketch their subjects first but Shahin goes straight to canvas with a paintbrush and they've been fascinated by the technique.”

Memishi's portraits will cost from £1,000 to £5,000, while the work by the featured artists will range in price from £1,500 to £20,000. Mr Macleod said that some of the works were collector's items. “I know all the pieces that are coming in and they will all sell because they are very rare. I don't think people will necessarily buy the works in pairs, but you might get some fans coming in and saying, ‘I can't afford a picture by my favourite painter, but I can buy their portrait'.

“It is also the first time for many years that the New Glasgow Boys - Howson, Currie and Campbell - have been hung on the same wall for many years.”

Ally Thomson said that Memishi was one of a new breed of European artists galvanising the city's art scene. “Having an external input into Scotland is entirely desirable. Edinburgh has traditionally had a connection with Europe and I think it is time Glasgow followed suit.”

He said that the show had helped to foster fresh links in the arts community. “Glasgow is a very exciting place. There are parallels between this and the Paris of the Twenties and Thirties, where there was an incredible dyna-mic of creativity.”

Memishi, 44, was forced to leave his native country in the wake of the 1999 Kosovo conflict. Kosovans of Slavic origin were being persecuted for their historic links with the Serbs. “Kosovo was not safe,” he said. “I had to leave everything behind that I had built for years. I left behind me burning houses, my friends, and my mother and brothers, not knowing if I would ever see them again. Sadly, I lost my mother in the intervening years, and I couldn't go back to see her.”

After working in Scotland as a community artist for the past five years, he now feels settled in his adopted country. “I have met a lot of good artists in my time here and they have become good friends too,” he said. “They have pushed me and helped me to learn.

“I finally feel free here; my brushes feel like they are flying in my fingers.”

Inspirations by Shahin Memishi, at Art de CafK, Glasgow, opens on Monday and runs until September 28.

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