Steve Mc Curry, an incredible photographer and humanitarian
visited Singapore in June of 2009. Unfortunately, I missed the
opportunity of attending his workshops as I was traveling. However,
I was able to see his first solo exhibition at the Asian Civilizations
Museum, upon my return to Singapore. The title of the exhibition
was called "The Unguarded Moment" which is also the title of his
new book. There were also some unpublished, never before photographs
captured throughout his career included in the exhibition.
Born in Philidelphia, Steve's career has taken him into war zones
including Iran-Iraq war, the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia,
Beirut, Cambodia, the Philippines and the gulf war.
"Most of my images are grounded in people," he says. "I look for the
unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched
on a person's face. I try to convey what is like to be that person, a person
caught in a broader landscape that you could call the human condition."
Sharbat Gula - taken in a refugee camp in 1984
The most recognizable image in the history of National Geographic
green eyes evokes such a deep emotion that it touches the soul.
McCurry searched in vain for Sharbat after the publication of her
image on National Geographic. However, his persistence led him
to finally finding her some 17 years later. Sadly, the glow in her eyes
have disappeared. The intensity in her facial expressions reveals the
hardships and struggles she has to endure in her life.
You will find some of the portraits here in Mc Curry's book "Looking East".
There is this sense of sadness, helplessness, a deep fear... .. reflected in their
eyes that floods me with empathy and disillusionments. Yet, despite all of
life adversity, even in the depths of darkness, one continues to hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment