American, b. 1950

Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic figures in contemporary photography for more than five decades. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University, before going on to work for a newspaper. After two years, McCurry made his first of what would become many trips to India. Traveling with little more than a bag of clothes and film, he made his way across the subcontinent, exploring the country with his camera.

It was after several months of travel that he crossed the border into Pakistan. In a small village, he met a group of refugees from Afghanistan, who smuggled him across the border into their country, just as the Russian invasion was closing the country to Western journalists. Emerging in traditional dress, with a full beard and weather-worn features after months embedded with the Mujahideen, McCurry made his way over the Pakistan border with his film sewn into his clothes. 

McCurry's images were among the first to show the world the brutality of the Russian invasion. Since then, McCurry has gone on to create unforgettable images over all seven continents and numerous countries. His body of 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.

McCurry has been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal. Most recently, the Royal Photographic Society in London awarded McCurry the Centenary Medal for Lifetime Achievement and in 2019, McCurry was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame.

SELECTED INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS:
2018, Steve McCurry Icons, Firenze, Italy and Pavia, Italy
2018, Picturing Asia: Double Take, Shanghai, China
2018, Galerie Frederic Got, Rue de Seine, Paris, France
2018, Untold Stories, Moskva, Russia
2018, Steve McCurry - Glaude und Gebet, Germany
2017, Museo Civico Piero della Francesca, Sansepolcro, Italy
2017, Ex Convento San Francesco d’Assisi, Siracusa, Italy
2017, Forte di Bard, Aosta Valley, Italy
2017, Museum Helmond/ Kusthal, Helmond, Netherlands
2017, Museo di Santa Giulia, Brescia, Italy
2017, Place de la Bourse, Brussels, Belgium
2017, Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport, Connecticut
2016, House of Lucie, Bangkok, Thailand
2016, Centro Cultural Borges, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2016, Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli (PAN), Napoli, Italy
2016, Amerikahaus, Munich, Germany
2016, Berlin Foto Biennale – Palazzo Italia, Berlin, Germany
2016, Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
2016, Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
2016, Panna Maria Snezna Monastery, Nové Mesto, Czech Republic
2016, Baldwin Photographic Gallery – Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
2016, Otranto Castello Aragonese, Otranto, Italy
2016, Brno City Museum, Brno, Czech Republic
2016, Frederic Got Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2016, Vivacom Art Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria
2016, Mucsarnok Kunsthalle, Budapest, Hungary
2016, Weltkulturerbes Völklinger Hütte, Völklinger, Germany
2016, La Venaria Reale, Torino, Italy
2016, Castelnuovo Magra, Castelnuovo Magra, Italy
2016, Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA
2016, The Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA
2016, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, Utica, NY
2016, Stephen Hoffman Galeria, Munich, Germany
2016, Barbado Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal
2016, Galleria Harry Bertoia, Pordenone, Italy
2016, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Hong Kong
2016, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, New York, NY
2016, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Singapore
2016, Beetles & Huxley Gallery, London, UK
2015, Flo Peters Gallery, Hamburg, Germany
2015, Det Nationalhistoriske Museum, Hillerød, Denmark
2015, Muzeum Středního Pootaví Strakonice, Strakonice
2015, Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine 1er, Monaco
2015, Musei San Domenico, Forli, Italy
2015, Arsenale di Venezia, Venice, Italy
2015, Rubin Museum of Art, New York, NY
2015, The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia
2015, Museo Nazionale Scienza E Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci, Milan, Italy
2015, 220 Cultura Contemporánea, Córdoba, Argentina
2015, Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Houghton, South Africa
2015, Old Town Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
2015, CerModern, Ankara, Turkey
2015, Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, NC
2015, Patricia Conde Galeria, Mexico City, Mexico
2015, Museum für Gestaltung, Zurich, Switzerland
2015, Leica Gallery, Warsaw, Poland
2015, Cinecittà Studios, Rome, Italy
2014, Bait Al Zubair, Muscat, Oman
2014, CT Gallery, Megeve, France
2014, Loukia & Michael Zampelas Art Museum, Nicosia, Cyprus
2014, Central European House of Photography, Bratislava, Slovakia
2014, Villa d’Reale di Monza, Monza, Italy
2014, Leica Gallery, Salzburg, Austria
2014, Anna Lamar Switzer Center at Pensacola State College, Pensacola, FL
2014, Brucie Collections, Kiev, Ukraine
2014, Theatre de la Photographie et de l’Image, Nice, France
2014, Alessandro Del Piero Gallery, Torino, Italy
2014, Festival La Gacilly, France
2014, Beetles and Huxley, London, UK
2014, Kunsthalle Erfurt, Germany
2014, Regione Umbria, Perugia, Italy
2014, Juminkeko Foundation, Kuhmo, Finland
2013, Santa Maria della Scala, Siena, Italy
2013, Hamburg Museum of Art, Germany
2013, tau Foundation, Santiago, Chile
2013, Taidehalli Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2013, Fifty One Fine Art, Antwerp, Belgium
2013, Chris Beetles Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2013, National Museum Kragujevac, Serbia
2013, Luova Gallery, Helsinki, Finland
2013, David Bloch Gallery, Marrakech, Morocco
2013, Galerie Clairefontaine, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
2012, Empty Quarter Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2012, Kunstmuseum, Wolfsburg, Germany
2012, Annenberg Space for Photography, Los Angeles, CA
2012, Oeksnehallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012,  Ron Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich, CT
2012, Frederic Got Gallery, Paris, France
2012, Seoul Art Center, Seoul, South Korea
2012, Photokina, Cologne, Germany
2012, Centro Municipal de Arte Helio Oiticica, Rio de Janerio, Brazil
2012, Palazzo Ducale, Genova, Italy
2012, Zagreb Art Pavilion, Zagreb, Croatia
2011, Museum of Contemporary Art, Rome, Italy
2011, Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Sao Paulo, Brazil
2011, Casal de Solleric, Majorca, Spain
2011, Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Turkey
2011, Amerikahaus, Munich, Germany
2011, Centro del Conocimiento, Misiones, Argentina
2011, Gallery of Photography, Dublin, Ireland
2010, Museo Rafaela, Rajaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
2010, Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, Perugia, Italy
2010, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul, Korea,
2010, Centro Cultural Borges, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2010, Salo Art Museum, Finland
2010, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, UK
2010, Roosevelt House, New Delhi, India
2010, Masan Art Center, Seoul, Korea
2010, Joseph Saxton Gallery, Canton, OH
2010, Islamic Arts Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009, Villanova University, Villanova, PA
2009, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore
2009, Polka Magazine Exhibition, Paris, France
2009, Chahar Suq Cistern, Herat, Afghanistan
2009, Palazzo della Ragione, Milan, Italy
2009, History Center,  Orlando, FL
2009, Open Shutter Gallery, Durango, CO
2009, International Festival of Photojournalism, Perpignan, France
2009, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA
2009, Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich, CT
2009, Cavalier Galleries, Nantucket, MA,
2009, Bagh-e-Babur, Queen’s Palace, Kabul, Afghanistan
2009, Retrospective, Stadtische Gallerie, Iserlohn, Germany
2008, Friends Center Gallery, Siem Reap, Cambodia
2008, Retrospective, Stadtmuseum, Schleswig, Germany
2008, Magnum Print Room, London, United Kingdom
2008, Photo Festival, Amman, Jordan
2008, Palmer Museum of Art, State College, PA
2008, Face of Asia, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
2007, Camera Obscura, Denver, CO
2007, Southeast Museum of Photography - Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, FL
2007, India at 60, New York, NY
2007, Morris Museum, Morristow, NJ
2007, South Southeast, Rennes, France
2007, South Southeast, Art Center, Waco, TX
2007, Fahey Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007, International Center of Tibet, Washington DC
2007, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
2006, Galleria Modena Arte, Modena, Italy
2006, Lucca Photofest, Lucca, Italy
2006, The United Nations Lobby, New York, NY
2006, First Photography Biennial, Alejandro Otero Museum, Caracas, Venezuela
2006, Hartlepool Art Gallery, Hartlepool, United Kingdom
2006, Sir William Gray House, Hartlepool, United Kingdom
2006, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
2006, Photo Biennial, Daegu, Korea
2006, South SouthEast, Valencia, Spain
2006, Pilgrimage, Madrid, Spain
2006,  Cavalier Galleries, Nantucket, MA
2006, Soho Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2006, Gallery Old Town, San Diego, CA
2005, City Arts Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland
2005, Asia House, London, United Kingdom
2005, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, CA
2004, Artopia Gallery, Miami, FL
2004, Fundación Sophia, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2004, Boca Museum of Art, Boca Raton, Florida
2004, Phil Woods Gallery, Ottawa, Canada
2003, International Photography Exhibition, Beijing, China
2003, National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.
2003, The Augen Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2003, Tibet House, New York, NY
2003, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
2003, Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2003, Levering Hall, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2002, Exhibition Leeuwarden, Amsterdam, Holland
2002, The Augen Gallery, Portland, OR
2002, The School of Photography (EFTI), Madrid, Spain
2002, The Victor Barsokevitsch Photographic Centre, Finland
2002, Palacio dos Aciprestes, Pro Historica Associacao, Lisbon, Portugal
2002, Stenerson Museum, Oslo, Norway
2002, Southeast Museum of Photography, Daytona Beach, FL
2001, Vision Workshops, Annapolis, MD
2001, Palacio dos Aciprestes, Pro Historica Associacao, Lisbon, Portugal
2001, Radiant Light Gallery, Portland, ME

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
University of New Brunswick, NB, Canada
Helmond Museum/ Kunsthal, Helmond, Netherlands
Museum of Fine Arts, St Petersburg, FL
The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Elton John Collection, Atlanta, GA
George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Fondazione Palazzo Bricherasio, Torino, Italy
Ackland Museum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Houston Museum of Modern Art, Houston, TX
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
Tokyo Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan
Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State College, State College, PA
International Center of Photography,  New York, NY
Musee National d’art Moderne, Paris, France
Davison Art Center - Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
National Media Museum, Bradford, UK
Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Institut culturel Bernard Magrez, Bordeaux, France
Fotografische Sammlung – Schloss Kummerow, Kummerow, Germany
Numerous private collections,

SELECTED AWARDS:
2016, Epica Bronze Award for Valentino SS16 Campaign
2016, Lucie Award for Book Publisher of the Year, 21st Editions, Humanity, New York, NY
2016, Clio Award for Valentino SS16 (4), Rome, Italy
2016, International Award of Photography, Centro Di Ricerca E Archiviazione Della Fotografia, Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Italy
2016, Honorary Doctorate and Honorary Professorship, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
2014, Centenary Medal for Lifetime Achievement, Royal Photographic Society, London, England
2014, Hamdan International Photography Award, Dubai, UAE
2013, Appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, France
2012, Recipient of Humanity in the Arts Peace Award; International Committee of Artists for Peace
2012, Pictures of the Year International Book Award for The Iconic Photographs
2011, Leica Hall of Fame Award, St. Moritz, Switzerland
2011, Prix LiberPress, Girona, Spain
2009, Abrogino D’Oro, Milan, Italy
2006, Lowell Thomas GOLD
2006, National Press Photographers Association 1st Place, Buddha Rising, National Geographic, Dec.
2006, Honorary Fellowship, New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP)-May 4th
2005, Honorary Fellowship, The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, London
2005, Photographic Society of America Photojournalism Division-International Understanding through Photography Award
2003, International Photography Awards, CA, the Lucie Award for Photojournalism
2003, Distinguished Alumni Award, Pennsylvania State University, PA
2003, Co-recipient of the NY Film Festival Gold for documentary, “Afghan Girl: Found”, NY
2002, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, College of Creative Studies, University of California, CA
2002, Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ
2002, Photographer of the Year, PMDA Professional Photographer Award
2002, Photographer of the Year, American Photo Magazine
2002, United Nations International Photographic Council: Special Recognition Award, In recognition of his ceaseless devotion and outstanding achievement in photography.
2002, French Art Directors Association, Award of Excellence for “Women of Afghanistan”
2001, Photography Annual, Communication Arts, Award of Excellence, Book Series, South South East
2000, Picture of the Year Competition, Book of the Year, South SouthEast, Magazine Feature Picture Award of Excellence: ‘Women in Field, Yemen’
1999, Pennsylvania State University, PA, Lifetime Fellow Award
1998, Life Magazine: 'The Eisenstaedt Awards' - Our World Photo Winner, 'Red Boy', Life Magazine: 'The Eisenstaedt Awards' - Our World Essay Finalist, 'India'
1998, Picture of the Year Competition, Award of Excellence, Portraits: ‘Red Boy’
1998, SAJA, Southern Asian Journalistic Award, Outstanding Special Project, National Geographic Story, India: 50 Years of Independence, SAJA, Southern Asian Journalistic Award, Outstanding Photograph: 'Red Boy'
1997, Picture of the Year Competition, Magazine Feature Picture Award of Excellence: 'Fishermen'
1996, Picture of the Year Competition, Magazine Feature Picture Story Award: 'Beggar', Magazine Feature Picture Story Award: 'Burma: The Richest of the Poor Countries'
1994, Pennsylvania State University, Arts and Architecture Distinguished Alumni Award
1993, National Press Photographers Association, Award of Excellence for 'Rubble of War'
1992, Oliver Rebbot Memorial Award, Overseas Press Club, Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad on Gulf War Coverage
1992, Picture of the Year Competition, Magazine Feature Picture Award of Excellence: 'Fiery Aliens', First Place, Magazine Science Award: 'Camels under a Blackened Sky', First Place, Gulf War News Story: 'Kuwait: After the Storm'
1992, World Press Photo Competition, First Place, Nature and Environment: 'Oil-Stricken Bird', Kuwait, First Place, General News Stories: 'Kuwait after the Storm', Children's Award: 'Camels under a Blackened Sky'
1990, Award of Excellence, White House News Photographers Association, ‘Spanish Gypsy'
1987, Medal of Honor, Philippines, for coverage of the 1986 Philippine Revolution
1986, Oliver Rebbot Memorial Award, Overseas Press Club, Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad for work done in the Philippines
1985, Oliver Rebbot Award Citation: 'Monsoons' and 'The New Faces of Baghdad'
1984, World Press Competition, Four First Prize First place, Nature and Nature Series; First place, Daily Life and Daily Life Series
1984, National Press Photographers Association: Magazine Photographer of the Year
1980, Robert Capa Gold Medal Award, for coverage of the war in Afghanistan for Time Magazine

INDIVIDUAL PUBLICATIONS:
2016, On Reading, Phaidon Press
2016, Humanity: Steve McCurry, 21st Editions
2016, McCurry, NY 11 Septembre 2001, Dupuis
2016, Il Mondo di Steve McCurry, Mondadori Electa
2015, India, Phaidon Press
2015, From These Hands: A Journey Along the Coffee Trail, Phaidon Press
2015, Deep South, Houghton-Mifflin Company
2013, Photographs by Steve McCurry and Text by Paul Theroux, Untold: The Stories Behind the Photographs, Phaidon Press
2012, The Iconic Photographs, Phaidon Press
2012, 100 Photos of Steve McCurry for Press Freedom, RS
2012, Steve McCurry: Stern Portfolio, Stern Gruner, Jahr AG & Co.
2011, The Iconic Photographs, Phaidon Press, Limited/Signed
2009, The Unguarded Moment, Phaidon Press, Limited
2007, In the Shadow of Mountains, Phaidon Press Limited
2006, Looking East, Phaidon Press Limited
2005, Steve McCurry, Phaidon Press Limited
2003, The Path to Buddha: A Tibetan Pilgrimage, Phaidon Press Limited
2002, Sanctuary: The Temples of Angkor, Phaidon Press Limited
2000, South Southeast, Phaidon Press Limited
1999, Portraits, Phaidon Press Limited
1988, Monsoon, Thames and Hudson
1985, The Imperial Way, Houghton-Mifflin Company, Photographs by Steve McCurry and Text by Paul Theroux