An Interview with Red Purdy, creator of Maxis Club

A Short, Deep Interview with Featured Artist, Maxis Club creator, Red Purdy

Which of your pieces do you feel most expresses your deepest feelings and/or insights about bitcoin, and why?

Piece No.383 Title: Deep. I really like this piece because it has many analogies that work on different levels at the same time, such as Bitcoin, the internet, vitality, and a deep journey. Bitcoin because the meme is about Bitcoin, and the surface of the iceberg represents the price, while the entire depth of the iceberg, which is hidden below the water and not visible, is like all the knowledge about Bitcoin or everything that Bitcoin represents.

And that same image can be extrapolated to many other things that I personally relate to. For example, the surface in relation to the internet and the deep web, which is where Bitcoin was born, in the deep internet. And on a personal level as well; what is on the surface is what everyone knows, what everyone sees, what is already revealed, the revealed truth, which is very little compared to everything that still remains to be uncovered or discovered at a human level.

What are you most looking forward to being different and improved when the world is fully hyperbitcoinized?

I hope it helps strengthen qualities such as responsibility, freedom, and ultimately everything related to being self-taught, because that will mean, or translate into, a more mature society with better management of its own conflicts. In short, a better society.

Why do you make art, and specifically bitcoin art?

It has been my way of expressing myself for as long as I can remember. At first it was a hobby, but in the end it took up so much space in my life that it became my job. When I discovered Bitcoin, I wanted to find a way to bring together these two things that I love: creating art and Bitcoin.

What do you hope people see or understand when they look at your art?

I want people to learn a bit about Bitcoin through something fun. To break through how dense it can sometimes be to understand Bitcoin, using humor, so that education feels lighter and more refreshing and not just like something very deep or heavy.

What was one of your biggest fears in life in general that you conquered, and how did you overcome it?

It wasn’t fear, it was uncertainty in the face of the question of why others could live very well from their art, while I, even when I did quite excellent work, couldn’t manage to make a living from it. I didn’t understand it. I thought I was doing something wrong. Later I understood that recognition doesn’t come only from doing excellent work; you also have to communicate your work well. I’m not an expert at that, I’m still learning.

Speak about a "failure" in your Bitcoin art journey taught you the most and ultimately reshaped your practice?

I don’t usually think in terms of failure, because making mistakes is valuable information for learning. I’ve always been very individualistic, but I’ve learned that when you’re aligned and things flow naturally, working with people (Bitcoiners) as a team is much more nourishing than working alone.

Looking back, what single moment in your Bitcoin journey flipped your creative identity from “artist who uses Bitcoin” to “Bitcoin artist”?

The moment I realized that I could earn Bitcoin with my work instead of fiat.

What’s the most profound way discovering Bitcoin has reshaped who you are as a person?

Absolutely, the phrase “Don’t trust, verify.” I think it can be applied to many areas of life. For example, when you meet someone new, you don’t have to give them your trust without first verifying whether they deserve it. “Don’t trust, verify” is not about being distrustful; it’s about making sure everything is in place so that you can trust. And I really liked that.

It’s an idea I had been turning over in my head for a long time, and through Bitcoin I was finally able to fully materialize it.

Onward,