The fascinating journey to find the mysterious afghan girl whose haunting gaze captivated the world in a national geographic magazine cover. Mccurrys afghan girl is perhaps one of national geographics most iconic magazine covers but, as northrup reveals, it is not without controversy. Photographer steve mccurry has traveled the globe to capture visceral images. Steve mccurry sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan, 1984. Having travelled the globe for over thirty years, mccurry has photographed warzones, burning oil fields, refugee camps, ship breaking yards and monsoons all over the world. Afghan girl at a steve mccurry exhibition in the old town hall, prague. This is the disturbing story behind the iconic afghan. Steve mccurry s relationship with afghanistan is densely interwoven with his career as a photographer. It is boldly signed by hand by the artist in black marker. In 1984, with the soviet war in afganistan raging, national geographic photographer steve mccurry was asked to document refugee settlements, and too. View sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan by steve mccurry sold at photographs on new york auction 14 october 2020.
One on one with the masters of photography for this post of one on one with the masters of photography series, its my pleasure to interview one of the most influential photographers of our time, best known for his iconic image of the afghan girl photojournalist, steve mccurry. Steve mccurrys afghan girl published in national geographic is one of the most famous photos of all time. Learn more about the piece and artist, and place an advance bid now. Steve mccurry born april 23, 1950 in philadelphia, pennsylvania is an american photographer, freelancer and photojournalist. Yet even after all this time, the preeminent photographer brims with enthusiasm when he talks about afghan girl. In researching further about steve mccurrys afghan girl, i found an interesting alternate take of the image as well as the story behind the. This year, he decided to make a video about steve mccurrys iconic image of sharbat gula and how its colours and composition inspired millions. Below are two videos that depict the journey that steve mccurry and his crew took in their search for sharbat.
Dec 12, 2017 photographer steve mccurry tells the story of shooting the iconic national geographic afghan girl photo. It appeared on the june 1985 cover of national geographic. Many people presented themselves as the girl in the picture but mccurry had visual pointers to the real afghan girl. His photo afghan girl, of a girl with piercing green eyes, has appeared on the cover of national geographic several times. Although it sparked some controversy, steve mccurrys afghan girl is an iconic image that has influenced and inspired many people. Mar 09, 2018 but american lensman steve mccurry has become almost as well known as his work, thanks in part to the fame of afghan girl his remarkable portrait of sharbat gula, the brighteyed. The piercing eyes of the widely known photograph afghan girl taken by steve mccurry has held audiences captivated for years. With steven brian conard, sharbat gula, steve mccurry, sigourney weaver. However, the girl was wearing a burka covering the rest of her face. Steve mccurrys most iconic photograph, sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan, was first seen on the cover of national geographic in june of 1985. Steve mccurry photo editing scandal business insider. He visited 30 camps just outside peshawar and although some of the camps had been established for years, there was still only basic shelter and facilities. The image, known simply as the afghan girl, eventually became the most recognized photograph in the history of national geographic. But american lensman steve mccurry has become almost as well known as his work, thanks in part to the fame of afghan girl his remarkable portrait of sharbat gula, the brighteyed.
Tony northup wanted to talk about how this image inspired him, but then he learned the story behind it and it wasnt pretty. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan by steve mccurry on. His photo afghan girl, of a girl with piercing green eyes. Steve mccurry afghan girl 1984 available for sale artsy. In 1984 steve mccurry was approached by national geographic to photograph the refugee camps along the afghan pakistan border. He is internationally known for the afghan girl, the legendary picture he took in a refugee camp in peshawar, pakistan during the soviet occupation of afghanistan in 1984. Gula was ten years old at the time, studying in a tent school. The afghan girl represents the suffering of children in war torn countries, and the real consequences of such conflict on ordinary people. Taken in 1984 at an afghan refugee camp in peshawar, pakistan, the afghan girl remained anonymous until 2002, when read more. Steve mccurry is an american editorial photographer responsible for some of the most iconic cultural journalism of our time.
Steve mccurry is best known for his iconic afghan girl portrait, which was the bestselling national geographic cover of alltime. Three decades ago, steve mccurry took arguably the most iconic picture of all time. Youll never see the iconic photo of the afghan girl the same way again. The story behind steve mccurrys iconic afghan girland. Youll never see the iconic photo of the afghan girl the. She became known around national geographic as the afghan girl, and for 17 years no. He travels across the world and takes amazing portraits of people he meets, extracting the powerful feelings they express. Portrait and war photographer famous for afghan girlsharbat gula. Steve mccurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than 30 years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world to his name. Mar 01, 2019 although it sparked some controversy, steve mccurrys afghan girl is an iconic image that has influenced and inspired many people. The photographer is well known for his contributions to magazines such as national geographic, which featured afghan girl his infamous 1985 imageon its cover. But the quest and journey turned out to be quite challenging and at times seemed as if it would be a failure. The disturbing true story of the afghan girl photo read. He visited 30 camps just outside peshawar and although some of the camps had been established for years, there was.
Mccurry said that he had been drawn to her by her piercing green eyes and hed wanted to take a photo of her. From afghan girl to ground zero, the world through steve. Cover photograph by steve mccurry, nat geo image collection. Oct 22, 20 it might be hard to believe in retrospect, but it turns out that steve mccurrys most famous photograph, the iconic afghan girl, was almost passed over for the cover of national geographic. Steve mccurry finally decided that he had to try and find the afghan girl one more time and see what had happened to her. Available for sale from ifac arts, steve mccurry, afghan girl 1984, cprint on fuji crystal archival paper. In 1984, with the soviet war in afganistan raging, national geographic photographer steve mccurry was asked to document refugee. Steve mccurry tells in interview his passion for animals and how to capture them on camera. The afghan girl with the haunting green eyes captivated everyone. Steve mccurry is the famous photographer who took one of the most iconic pictures of all time the afghan girl. He heard the laughter of children in a oneroom school tent for girls. Mccurry has photographed many assignments for national geographic and has been a member of magnum photos since 1986. The young afghan refugee who stared from the cover of national geographic in june 1985 was an enigma for 17 years.
The story behind the worlds most famous photograph cnn style. One of the most famous pieces of photojournalism ever created, this image by fearless photojournalist steve mccurry graced the cover of national geographic. How to shoot like steve mccurry photocrowd photography blog. The story behind the worlds most famous photograph cnn. Oct 02, 2018 steve mccurry was born in a suburb of philadelphia and studied film at penn state university. In 1984 steve mccurry was approached by national geographic to photograph the refugee camps along the afghanpakistan border. The image, known simply as the afghan girl, eventually became the most recognized photograph in the history of national geographic magazine, after it appeared on the cover in june 1985. Steve mccurry is the recipient of the 2011 leica hall of fame award. Jan 18, 2018 one of the most important lessons ive learned is that some of the great pictures happen along the journey and not necessarily at your destination, steve mccurry said back in 2014. In 2002 mccurry returned to pakistan with a national geographic television film crew to try to find the afghan girl. Steve mccurry became my first photography hero over 20 years before i picked up a camera. This is the disturbing story behind the iconic afghan girl. Later, on pondering over mccurrys most iconic image, that of the afghan girl, he also found another, small discrepancy. Jan 04, 20 his awardwinning images have been a source of inspiration for photographers worldwide, with the iconic image of the afghan girl and much more, which show his unique use of color, light, and composition.
From afghan girl to ground zero, the world through steve mccurrys lens impact his famous 1984 afghan girl cover for national geographic was just the start. The greeneyed afghan girl became a symbol in the late 20th century of strength in the face of hardship. Mccurry when mccurry found a roughly 12yearold pashtun orphan in the nasir bagh refugee camp near peshawar, pakistan. Steve mccurry was born in a suburb of philadelphia and studied film at penn state university. Steve mccurry reveals iconic afghan girl portrait was. Mccurry creates straightforward representational photographs that seek to illuminate areas of the world and create narratives from honest depictions of people and places. Steve mccurry born 1950 is best known for his evocative colour photographs that document both human struggles and joy. These new photos were published in the april 2002 edition of national geographic.
With the worldwide popularity of the afghan girl came the trip that would track her down seventeen years after the shot was taken. As youre driving down the road, you have to be attuned to whats happening and you have to be looking at and searching for possible things to photograph. Youll never see the iconic photo of the afghan girl the same way. Known for the national geographic cover the afghan girl, legendary photographer steve mccurry captures the human element hidden amidst military conflicts, humanitarian crisis, vanishing traditions, as well as contemporary cultures. The donations are to the afghan girls fund and will be going to afghan girls during that age of around 12 to 20. In 2002, mccurry went back to find the iconic afghan girl he had photographed 19 years earlier. When they arrived at the camp where mccurry had photographed her they found out that it. Afghan girl photographer steve mccurry on the worlds. May 22, 2017 sharbat gula speaks to tolo tv hosts about her iconic national geographic photograph, her family, and return to afghanistan. Worldwide portraits by steeve mccurry steve mccurry, afghan. Mccurry returned to afghanistan in 2002 to find the girl and retake her image.
In 1984, steve mccurry was commissioned by national geographic to take photographs of refugee camps along the border of afghanistan and. Mccurry photographed the afghan girl who was later identified as sharbat gula in 1984, in a refugee camp near peshawar, pakistan. His documentation of villagers in afghanistan and pakistan most notably his iconic 1984 photograph afghan girl, of a smoky train station in. Afghan girl photographer steve mccurry on the worlds last. After her arrest, the afghan girl is once again a symbol. The story behind steve mccurrys iconic afghan girland how he.
View a wide variety of artworks by steve mccurry, now available for sale on artnet auctions. Later, on pondering over mccurry s most iconic image, that of the afghan girl, he also found another, small discrepancy. Gula was about 12 years old in 1984 when war photographer steve mccurry shot her haunting portrait afghan girl, which appeared on the cover of. I did some digging and the picture, titled afghan girl was taken in 1984 by national geographic society photographer, steve mccurry but wasnt published until june of 1985. Mccurry s afghan girl is perhaps one of national geographics most iconic magazine covers but, as northrup reveals, it is not without controversy. Not many people would know which face to match with the name sharbat gula, yet her image is quite popular. The dirt, muck, and glare from her right eye seems to have disappeared. Interview with one of the worlds best photographers steve mccurry, the man behind the afghan girl portrait featured on the cover of national geographic. Pin it steeve mccurry is a universally recognized photojournalist, best known for his photograph, afghan girl that originally appeared in national geographic magazine. Steve, thanks once again for taking part in this interview. The afghan girl has been a subject of intrigue since its appearance in a 1985 issue of national geographic, having been photographed by steve mccurry. The interview is conducted in both dari and pashtu, native languages in. Nprs all things considered interviewed renowned photojournalist steve mccurry to. Steve mccurry s most iconic photograph, sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan, was first seen on the cover of national geographic in june of 1985.
Afghan girl in 1985 national geographic photo is arrested. The story behind steve mccurrys iconic afghan girl photo. The idea is to target some of these girls who missed out on. Aug 30, 2015 the afghan girl has been a subject of intrigue since its appearance in a 1985 issue of national geographic, having been photographed by steve mccurry. Her arresting gaze is the starting point for schnackenbergs interrogation of conflict, empire, religion, beauty and presence. Oct 04, 20 the alternate take steve mccurry s afghan girl revisited duration. The alternate take steve mccurrys afghan girl revisited youtube. Gula was known as the afghan girl when steve mccurrys photograph of her wearing a red scarf and staring directly at the camera became world famous in the 80s. Steve mccurry a life of photography unfolding maps.
The identity of the afghan girl was unknown until 2002, when steve mccurry, who first captured her image, tracked her down in the mountains of the afghanistanpakistan border. The image is of an adolescent girl with green eyes in a red headscarf looking intensely at the camera. Afghan girl is so ingrained in popular memory that ive seen it used multiple. It is during one of his return trips to afghanistan, in 1984, that mccurry takes his bestknown photograph afghan girl a powerful portrait of a young girl with haunting green eyes finally identified in 2002 as sharbat gula. The alternate take steve mccurry s afghan girl revisited duration. This offset lithograph poster features steve mccurrys iconic image, made famous as the cover of national geographics june 1985 issue. Steve mccurry international photography awards ipa. The captivating image depicts a young afghan refugee living in peshawar, pakistan during the soviet occupation of afghanistan.
He is internationally known for the afghan girl, the legendary picture he took in a refugee camp in peshawar, pakistan during the soviet occupation. His famous 1984 afghan girl cover for national geographic was just the start. A critical take on the steve mccurry scandal by digitalrev 08062016 19092019 i will begin by saying that my intention is not to attack steve mccurry or defame him in any manner. Gula was known as the afghan girl when steve mccurry s photograph of her wearing a red scarf and staring directly at the camera became world famous in the 80s. The photograph was taken in 1984 in the nasir bagh refugee camp in pakistan. By photographer steve mccurry, afghan girl with piercing green eyes. His work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike yet always retains the human element that made his celebrated image of the afghan girl such a powerful image.
Afghan girl is a 1984 photographic portrait of sharbat gula pashto. Want to hear the story of how the iconic afghan girl photo was shot. The story behind steve mccurrys iconic afghan girland how. Meet steve mccurry, the legendary photographer of the. I knew she had an incredible look, a penetrating gaze. He has published many books and retrospectives, including monsoon 1988, the path to buddha 2003, portraits 1999, on reading 2016 and most recently, steve mccurry. Famed afghan girl finally gets a home national geographic. The afghan girl by steve mccurry photo by steve mccurry at first the photo editor that worked on the june 1985 national geographic magazine wanted to use the other photo for the magazine cover instead of the one that became emblematic to what was happening in the world in 80s. The biography of famous photographer steve mccurry is featured including one of his most recognized photographs which is that of an afghan girl taken in 1985 that went viral across the world. After her arrest, the afghan girl is once again a symbol of refugees plight steve mccurry.
Three decades ago, my photograph of sharbat gula became famous as a signifier of migrants. Afghan girl, pakistan steve mccurry interview with steve mccurry. Bid now on sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan by steve mccurry. Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. Steve has gone on to create stunning images on all seven continents and countless countries. Mar 23, 2015 three decades ago, steve mccurry took arguably the most iconic picture of all time. Iconic afghan girl from national geographic arrested. This is the disturbing story behind the iconic afghan girl photo. Known worldwide as the afghan girl, sharbat gula is now 45 with four. Steve mccurry sharbat gula, afghan girl, pakistan hand. Lost and found the last 15 years have seen a flurry of media attention around sharbat gula. Steve s body of work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike yet always retains the human element. Steve mccurry afghan girl, peshawar, pakistan, 1984. Interview with steve mccurry masters of photography.