Masterclass with Ukrainian Photographer Marta Syrko

Marta Syrko, born in 1995 in Lviv, Ukraine, is an acclaimed contemporary photographer known for her evocative use of light and her ability to blend the real with the fictional through her innovative manipulation of textures such as fabric, smoke, and water. A graduate of the Lviv National Academy of Arts, where she studied art history and art theory, Syrko has developed a unique photographic style deeply rooted in the painting traditions of the past, yet with a modern, cinematic approach. Her work explores themes of nationality, climate change, and self-awareness, and she has gained widespread recognition for her ability to capture the human form in ways that challenge traditional perceptions. Over the past decade, Syrko’s work has been exhibited in major cities such as Paris, London, Arles, Linz, and Venice. She has also garnered acclaim for her collaborations with prestigious institutions like the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Syrko has made significant contributions to social justice through her photography, including Sculpture Series (2022 - ongoing) and Wrapping Art—Art of Salvation (2024), that reflect her deep engagement with the ongoing war in Ukraine. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the recent 2024 Emerging Talent Award from The Moniker Foundation in New York.

Marta Syrko’s program was made possible with the generous support from the Gale Family Foundation and TOKo Santa Fe.

We are also grateful to the International Folk Art Foundation, Friends of Folk Art, and donors to the Museum of New Mexico Exhibition Development Fund, including Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn, Gwenn and Eivind Djupedal, Rosalind Doherty, Barbara Forslund, and David Vogel and Larry Fulton, for their support of Amidst Cries from the Rubble and related programming.

Photo Credit: Marta Syrko (b. 1995), Cossack Mamay (detail) from Wrapping Art—Art of Salvation, 2024, Courtesy of the artist.