A Moscow Artist Now In Tbilisi | Maximilian Gureev | Episode 899

Maximilian Gureev | Episode 899

Maximilian Gureev started ceramics at the age of 35, mostly self taught without any previous art education. Since University Maximilian was working with children as a side job funning summer camps and a studio where there was always a creative process in this environment. In spring 2022 Maximilian left Russia with one big bag filled with ceramic glazes, plaster, and moulds to become full-time ceramic artist.

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In order to have on online business was it critical for you to be somewhere you can mail something? Was it challenging to ship things overseas?

Yes, definitely. Shipping from Russia right now would take more than a month so no one would agree to wait that long. People usually would get their parcels in a week and some countries are blocking parcels from Russia. Australia I know for sure. So they are just sending it back.

When you left Russia for Georgia were you concerned that it wouldn’t work out?

Yes, sure. I didn’t know. I was reading that in Georgia it was easy to do business but in reality it wasn’t that easy. I took a month just to open a bank account which is ridiculous. All the processes are harder, the shipping prices are 2 or 3 times higher than I used to use.

How hard is it to be apart from your family?

That’s really hard. That is the thing I miss and I miss my wife, I miss my dog. But my wife is coming for winter holidays so I am just waiting and ready.

What does it feel like knowing that people from around the world want to support you personally?

That’s huge. That’s really, really huge. I receive messages sometimes asking, Why are you not there? Why you left? Things like that. But mostly I have a very, very supportive community online. People just understand.

Just when the caterpillar thought it was over it became a butterfly. What do you think of that quote?

You don’t know where you find your opportunities. You think it’s over but then it’s not and you don’t know which is best and don’t judge your situation and just work with your circumstances. Do your best and never give up.