MARIA STRZELECKA
Lives and works in Poland
Biography
Maria Strzelecka has graduated from Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, department of Graphics where currently she is undertaking her postgraduate studies. An actress, singer in a punk band, graphic designer and a mother of two. Professionally she is illustrating, designing posters, animating and creating special visual effects. She is owner of fashion brand Luka Bandita.
Most known movie posters of her design are: Wojna polsko-ruska, Wszystko co kocham, Dzieci Ireny Sendlerowej.
She was awarded with honourable mention on International Animation Festival in Cracow for animation Bajka and on exhibition during Lodz Design Festival in 2012 for the illustration to Ewa Solarz’s book Elementarz dizajnu.
Oil paintings are part of private collections around the world, mostly in England and Denmark.
Artist statement
Mother of God seen as quintessence of womanhood, maternity and strength is main motif in my work. Although her image derives from Christian culture I see her in wider perspective as nature’s primary power which gives life and protection. In Mama-Anarchija painting I’m not only expressing my support for the girls from Pussy Riot but also I would like to draw attention to women who shows courage struggling for their freedom and right to speech in their own homes everyday. They’re doing this without support and publicity. It’s embodiment of mother, patron of all women who are not afraid to express their own beliefs despite all possible consequences. Mama-Anarchija is passing on her love for the freedom to next generation of brave women including her own daughter for whom she cut out the holes in colourful hat and put on her daughter’s head in empowering gesture.