We share an interview with the famaous Chechen painter Zamir Yushaev who lives in Germany.

WaYNaKH Online: Zamir, could you introduce yourself for our readers?

Zamir Yushaev: I am a freelance painter from Khasavyurt (in the Caucasus), the city lies on the border between Chechnya and Dagestan. I studied in Mahachkala (capital of Dagestan), later in Leningrad (now it is calling as St.Petersburg) and studied in Leipzig (Germany) from 1992 to 1997 . I paint mainly oil surrealistic images and i have two art studios in Liepzig.

WaYNaKH Online: As far as we know, you left from Chechnya before the war. Why did you decide to leave  from your homeland?

Zamir Yushaev: When i started to study in Leipzig, i wouldn’t have an idea to live here. I just would like to be a painter, and anything else except this idea didn’t matter for me.

I felt to war in Chechnya on my heart. Also, i painted something which was related to terrible events in my country. But after i finished to my university education, everything revealed to live in Liepzig. I created my own business and found a nice studio for working with a good price.

WaYNaKH Online: Which kind of paintings you are doing?

Zamir Yushaev: My work is oil painting, I paint oil paintings on canvas amliebsten. The style is surrealism. In the two fantasy worlds (Oxident and Oriental) merged with each other and produce a new world, a world of its own. The roots of my own sitting deep inside me and it is based on the new experiences and emotions.

WaYNaKH Online: We see effects of our culturel elements on your works. Is it related to your homesick feelings or do you try to present our culture?

Zamir Yushaev: Maybe everything is together. Of course I feel homesick as an every normal human being and also I am trying to protect Chechen culture, present it and moreover to see its growing up.

WaYNaKH Online: We have heard that you participated to many exhibitions. Could you say something about it?

Zamir Yushaev: Yes, I had many exhibitions, including international, but also at the beginning of a much smaller like in the pubs, hotels or shops. Today, I reject a lot of exhibitions that we can not accept everything. I live in a capitalist world and I have also adapted, today I make an exhibition only if it is worthwhile, it must be either a good address, or by the organizer must be paid. One week ago there were an exhibiton at a bank, but i didn’t want to be a participant because they do not want to pay.

WaYNaKH Online: Would you like to open a personal exhibiton in Turkey?

Zamir Yushaev: I would like to open an exhibition in Turkey, i hope one day somebody invite me and i can.

WaYNaKH Online: As you know, there is grow out of a new Chechen diaspora in Europe. How is your communication with the Chechens who live in Germany and neighbour countries?

Zamir Yushaev: When I came to Germany, I hadn’t imagined that one day so many Chechens are living here. I am very very busy and my work requires to be alone, so I have very little contact with the Chechens who live in Germany. 99 percent of my customers are German, so my main traffic with Germans.

Also I have two house in Leipzig and there is still many things to do which is waiting me. Unfortunately I have very little time for people of from my country. Nevertheless, I have very good relations with German-Caucasian Center and Chechen Cultural Center in Berlin.

WaYNaKH Online: Do you have any message for the Chechen diaspora in Turkey?

Zamir Yushaev: I wish peace and much success to the Chechen diaspora in Turkey. And i want to say, please allocate your time to fine arts as you spent your time for martial arts. In my opinion considering fine arts important for our future.

WaYNaKH Online: Thank you for allocated your time for interview.

Zamir Yushaev: You are welcome. Loves from heart.

***Down the below you may find the videos of Zamir Yushaev which how he paint just in a few minute:

PS: You may find the examples from the paintings of Zamir Yushaev at the  gallery section of our webpage under the name of Chechen Painter Zamir Yushaev.