Maria Pogorzhelskaia is one of the outstanding Russian artists whose work combines the traditions of the academic school with reflections on contemporary themes. She was born in 1971 in Moscow. She graduated from the Moscow Academic Art Lyceum named after N.V. Tomsky (1984–1989) and the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov (1989–1996). After that, she completed a course in contemporary art at the State Center for Contemporary Art (NCCA, 1996–1997). Since 1996, she has been a member of the Moscow Union of Artists.

From the beginning of her career, Maria has collaborated with leading galleries, including Aidan Gallery in Moscow (2002–2014), where she held important solo exhibitions. The artist's works have been exhibited multiple times at prestigious international events, such as the Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art (2004, 2006, 2008), the ArtKlyazma festival (2002, 2003), as well as the 1st Biennale of Contemporary Art in Korea (2012) and the Barbican Centre in London. Maria Pogorzhelskaia has participated in international artist residencies and projects in Italy, Sweden, China, and other countries.

The artist's works are held in major collections, including the Moscow Museum of Contemporary Art (Moscow), the State Center for Contemporary Art (Moscow), the Ekaterina Fund (Moscow), and the Ars Aevi Museum (Sarajevo). Maria's personal exhibition practice includes more than ten major projects, among which are "Proto (Type)" in Italy and Moscow (2020–2021), "EMO" at Aidan Gallery (2009–2011), "FLASH" at NK Gallery in Belgium (2014), and many others. Pogorzhelskaia's work encompasses both painting and installations, with a central focus on themes of fragility, memory, and the feminine perspective on everyday life.