Mikhail Smagluk from Krasnodar is rightly considered one of Europe’s best jewellers. In his interview, he speaks about a special depository of reliquiae for the governor, old Kuban handicrafts, and the significance of restoration work.
Smagluk’s name is known in Russia and beyond. For many years, he has been invited to relocate to Germany, France, Israel or the USA – but he keeps denying the invitations. He believes that his studio in the Krasnodar Museum of Local Lore is the best place in the world.
«I never chose my profession – it chose me. From my early childhood, I would never leave in peace my relatives and neighbours, for I was always busy making something. I was told that I was born with a hammer in my hands, because I always repaired something with it.
All things a human makes by their own hands are links of a single chain, for there is a final result for them. No matter what I am going to craft – a violin, some gold or silver ware, or a sculpture. You know, I would call myself simply – I’m an artist. I think that this notion encompasses all. Now, for instance, I am an author of a musical instrument – I am making a cello.»
Q.: Many artists confess they honour their teachers. Who were yours?
A.: I have learnt all without any teacher. Until now, it’s my life that’s been teaching me. Results of a person’s activity depend on his or her disposition.
Q.: You are the author of a special depository of reliquiae, a symbol of our region’s power kept by every Kuban Governor while he is in power. How was it made?
A.: In 2002, the regional authorities wanted to «have something made» to mark the 210th anniversary of the Cossacks arrival at the Kuban Land. To let the idea come true, I made that depository. It is a jewellery vault wrought for the Kuban Land, our most precious treasure. The land for the vault was taken from the Taman peninsula, where the Cossacks first landed 210 years before.
Apart from the depository of reliquiae, I made three other publicly significant artefacts: Mace of the Kuban Cossack Host, a shrine with parts of the holy relics of the Venerable Nikon of Tmutarakan, Ilya of Murom and St. Nestor the Chronicler, and Easter eggs.
But to tell you the truth, I don’t like very much what I have already done – I’m much more interested in what I’m doing now and what I’ll be doing in future.
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