Maria Ah Hyun Stracke is a Philadelphia-based artist and educator who works primarily with hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper), silk, graphite, paper, and paper pulp. As each composition evolves, varied surfaces, shapes, and seams emerge and interact with one another to develop an intuitive material language. Her recent drawings depart from a rectangular drawing format to explore the theme of votive objects as physical manifestations of spiritual intention. These newer works reflect on the intersection of materiality, ritual, and identity, using shapes and imagery gleaned from Korean folk and artistic traditions as well as Western religious mythology and iconography. Stracke holds a PhD in Literature and Criticism from The Graduate Center - City University of New York and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University.
Contact: mariastracke@gmail.com
Instagram: @mariahhyun