by Marina Coelho
The universe has a way of bringing people together in the most surprising ways. Through a chain of connections that started with the coolest pop artist I know, Rueffa, I was able to meet this amazing artist and discover his incredible work.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF THURSDAY
I get a call from Rueffa telling me she just heard Gregory Pototsky is in town and that I should definitely meet him. Following her lead, I call his publicist and just like that, I was invited to a private viewing with the artist himself!
The house he’s staying in is a magnificent property on top of the Sintra hills, overlooking the ocean.
Svetlana and Frédéric, personal friends of Gregory, welcome me inside. The house is a white canvas adorned with beautiful paintings and sculptures patiently waiting to be hung and displayed.
Suddenly, a very relaxed Gregory enters the room to greet me. After butchering a few words in Russian (which I’m still learning after 2 years); he welcomes me into the living room, we sit down, and he naturally starts telling me his story. Svetlana kindly translates his words to me, and reciprocates my amazement to him.
THE GENIE THAT IS GREGORY
I must shamefully confess that up until this moment, I was not a big fan of nudes; being more an Impressionism lover myself. But to hear Gregory’s personal life story, his struggles, more specifically his uplifting view on life and his inspiration behind every one of his art pieces; makes you take a second look at his work and appreciate each delicate line on the canvas.
Gregory Pototsky was born in 1954 in the Kurgan region. In 1977, he graduated from the State Institute of arts in Odessa. In 1986 he graduated from the Kishinev State University.
His sculptural and artwork has been in private collections of Gérard Depardier, Pierre Richard, Charles Aznavour, Pierre Cardin, Paulo Coelho, Stephhen Baldwin, Emir Kusturica, and many more.
The way he works is unique, connecting with his subject at a very deep, personal and emotional level. Transcending the simple creation process and becoming an instant therapeutic session.
Not only are his paintings and sculptures, beautiful and emotional pieces; but Gregory himself is a beacon of light, the pure embodiment of kindness; that’s why, he was so adamant to create the International Academy of Kindness. The organization runs multiple international charitable activities under the program “In Russian with kindness, from Russia with kindness”. He also created the symbol of peace and kindness “the Dandelion”, which is in 30 countries around the world.
LOSING TRACK OF TIME
I could have read his official biography, admired his work and gone through his long list of famous patrons; but to experience a connection to Gregory himself has given me a privileged insight into the mind and heart of an extraordinary person.
What was supposed to be an hour-long private viewing; turned into a weekend-long exchange that culminated with the amazing art premiere hosted by Svetlana Romanova and Frédéric Lassoeur.
