Tucked away above the bustling seaside streets of Margate, up a narrow staircase and through the doors of Archival Prints, you'll find Maximillian Boxer surrounded by sketchbooks, artworks, printing equipment and a constant flow of local artists dropping in throughout the day.
As one of the town's most familiar creative faces, Max occupies a unique place within Margate's thriving arts scene. Through Archival Prints, he helps reproduce artwork for many of the area's artists, while downstairs, Don't Blink - the gallery and vintage store he runs with his partner - has become a much-loved destination for visitors and locals alike.
Spending time with Max feels less like an interview and more like being welcomed into a community. Whether he's discussing colour theory, recommending local artists, helping a fellow creative prepare an exhibition, or chatting to visitors about their latest print purchase, his enthusiasm for art is impossible to miss.
Despite working at the heart of Margate's creative scene, Max's own journey into art is surprisingly recent. What began as daily sketching during lockdown has grown into a multidisciplinary practice spanning drawing, painting, stencil-based spray art, illustration and printmaking. His work is often infused with humour, nostalgia and a playful appreciation for the everyday moments that connect us.
We sat down with Max in his Margate print studio to talk about creativity, collecting art, the value of prints, and why some artworks simply have to make you smile.
Maximillian's work moves between mediums and subjects, but humour and nostalgia frequently tie everything together.
B: What does art mean to you personally?
"People often find it surprising to learn that my background is actually maths and science. And, if I'm being completely honest, art is an urge. It's a compulsion. I have to do it."
He pauses before continuing.
"You have an idea in your head and you need to get it out into reality. Once you've made it, your mind is clear to move onto the next thing."
B: What has making art taught you?
"Art has made me appreciate everything more. It teaches you to pay attention. It teaches you to play. As adults we don't play enough, and that's often where the best learning happens."
From architecture and design to colour, shape and composition, Max believes creativity changes how you see the world.
As both an artist and one of Margate's leading fine art printers, Max is passionate about the role prints play in making art more accessible.
And perhaps that's what makes Maximillian Boxer's work so appealing. Behind every print is not only an artist fascinated by process, experimentation and visual storytelling, but also someone deeply connected to the community around him.
Max's relationship with art feels refreshingly instinctive. His limited edition prints invite us to slow down, notice the familiar, celebrate nostalgia and find humour in everyday life – one playful image at a time.
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