Steve Mccurry

Steve McCurry is an iconic figure in contemporary photography. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McCurry studied cinematography before the first of many journeys to Asia. Armed with only a bag of clothes and film, he crossed from India into Pakistan where he encountered a group of Afghan refugees who smuggled him into their war-torn country during the Soviet invasion when borders were being sealed.

Emerging wearing traditional attire after months of travel with the Mujahideen, McCurry returned to Pakistan, his film safely sewn into his clothes. His photographs, capturing the brutal realities of the invasion, became among the first to expose the world to the conflict.

McCurry has created a vast and unforgettable body of work which spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike - yet always retains the human element.

McCurry has been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the field, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal. The Minister of French Culture appointed McCurry a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and most recently, the Royal Photographic Society in London awarded McCurry the Centenary Medal for Lifetime Achievement.