Maria the Korean Bride

Maria the Korean Bride is fiscally sponsored project of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt project and an on-going multi-media performance designed to bring attention to the social pressure and ostracism that I have endured as a first generation Korean-American unmarried woman. Maria the Korean Bride challenges and explores what marriage is as I document my cross-country journey as a forever Korean bride in my Korean bridal garb. It includes my random marriage proposals, interviews with various participants and mock wedding ceremonial performances with them. When complete, Maria the Korean Bride will be a feature documentary including highlights from most of the fifty states where these marriages take place.

Artist Profile

Maria Yoon is a Korean-born artist who lives and works in New York City. She holds a BFA from Cooper Union. Maria is a recipient of the Alex Katz Tuition Award and a summer residency at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Maria the Korean Bride has been funded in part by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, NYC Cultural Affairs, Asian Women Giving Circle and Franklin Furnace amongst others. Her on-going journey across America has received significant attention from Korean and pan-Asian American communities, as well as from institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art. Maria the Korean Bride is fiscally sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt project. For more please visit: www.mariayoon.com.