World-famous photographer Steve McCurry has shown his latest exhibition, “The Haunted Eye”, in Istanbul — a world premiere.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and organised by Istanbul’s 212 Photography Festival, the exhibition opened at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University’s Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Centre as one of the highlights of Türkiye’s Culture Road Festival. McCurry, who travelled from the US for the opening, said: “I’m very honoured to present my work in such a historic place.” Thanking curator Anne Morin, he added: “She was the first to dig into my archive. I’m very grateful for the extraordinary work she has done.”
Recalling his first visit to Istanbul in 1970, he said: “As a young student I had left home for the first time, and this city seemed foreign, amazing and exciting. Over the years I came back many times on photographic assignments and was always eager to return to Türkiye.” He added: “This trip has special meaning for me because it comes with this exhibition. I’m very grateful for the hospitality of the Turkish people and happy to be able to share this collection in Istanbul.”
McCurry is best known for his famous portrait “Afghan Girl”, published on the cover of National Geographic in 1985, which has become one of the most enduring images in contemporary photography. Beyond this iconic image, however, his work forms one of the most extensive contemporary visual archives of cultures and human stories.
“The Haunted Eye” runs until 30 November and includes 25 signature photographs from McCurry’s career, including the 1984 “Afghan Girl” portrait, as well as 160 works shown for the first time.
