Steve McCurry: A Photographer, A Legend

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Text and Photos Jean Marc M’Bahia

Galerie Got Montréal (50 Saint-Paul Street, West) is hosting Steve McCurry’s first Canadian exhibition.

With his iconic portrait of a young Afghan girl, American photographer Steve McCurry has become a legend in the world of photography and photojournalism. For his coverage of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, he won the Robert Capa Gold Medal for best photographic reporting from abroad.

She was a young afghan refugee who just lost her family. “She had to flee her village because of war,” Steve explains. “She ended up pretty much alone in this village.” He mentions what it was like to encounter the 12 year old Afghan girl with deep green eyes. “At first she was shy and had her hands on her face.” This portrait has become sort of a Mona Lisa of photography.

Part of his work has to do with curiosity. Steve McCurry doesn’t see himself as a photojournalist but a story teller and someone who travels the world. This is how he defines his work, and at Galerie Got you will see some of his finest work.

After the press conference I had the chance to attend the vernissage and see him walk around the room with his portraits on the wall, staring at us. Steve McCurry took time to talk with everyone individually and tell more stories, and share his adventures with us.

From May 27 to June 30 Galerie Got Montréal (50 Saint-Paul Street, West) is hosting Steve McCurry’s first Canadian exhibition. Free.