Author of quotes: Mikhail Shemyakin

Japan is a completely different world, intelligent, extremely complicated, extremely interesting. We would much should take these wise people.

An artist who loves his profession, can draw inspiration everywhere, and fool sitting and waiting to be visited by the Muse. I can't stand. I had an inspiration - it's all nonsense. The artist is first and foremost a hard worker. To work every day is the most important!

I am a disciple of Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote: "Peering into the damp stains on the walls, cracks, etc. - there you will see a fantastic world that comes to mind".

Inspiration is everywhere - in the garbage, for example. Here I had a big exhibition in the Russian Museum, which was called "Sidewalks of Paris" and consisted of photographs of debris, which I did at night.

When he said that he is a dissident Mikhail Shemyakin, I always said that was never a dissident. We were dissidents, and dissent at that time was a crime.

When I got kicked out of the USSR to France, my gallery owner gave me a small castle. But the castle was attached a ten-year contract in which was stated that I have the right to draw and what not. I said do not change a simple cage for the gold, and returned her the keys to the castle.

There is immigration, and there is exile. I was expelled from the country within three days. The terms were simple: if I'm not leaving, I will put in a madhouse or shot. I was asked to leave the USSR silently, not allowing even to say goodbye to my parents. Only two months later, I was allowed to tell what country I'm in.

Even when I meet with presidents, I remove the cap only for a few seconds as a sign of respect. And then say: "Sorry, I had to sit in front of you in a headdress". Already in the XVI century, you can find self-portraits where the artists wear visors to protect the eyes from bright light.