Steve McCurry: Instants Suspendus

Instants Suspendus (The Unguarded Moment) at l'Atelier Soardi Gallery, Nice, showcases some of the most famous images from American photojournalist Steve McCurry's book of the same name, comprising photographs from the last thirty years of his career. The show is the first in the South of France dedicated to the award-winning photographer and runs until 16 April 2011.

The exhibition comprises over thirty photographs - 21 large-format and 14 small-format prints - taken around the world, from Chad and South Africa to Tibet, India and Mali, including Boy in mid-flight, Jodhpur, and Geisha in a subway station, Kyoto.

'I am always fascinated to discover countries. In the same manner as when I started this profession, I remain capable of being moved, horrified and shocked by what I see, even if I know the people and places,' says McCurry of his work.

McCurry's career officially began in the 1970's when, disguised in native garb, he crossed the Pakistan border into Afghanistan on a journey that would culminate in Afghan Girl, which graced the cover of National Geographic and remains one of the most recognisable images. Subsequently he was awarded the Robert Capa Gold Medal for his exceptional coverage of the Middle-Eastern conflict.

'For my first reportage, I chose an unknown to me location: Asia. I was meant to stay 2 months. I staid for 2 years and 8 months.'

Since then, McCurry has become a world-renowned photojournalist or 'photographer or even traveller,' famous for photographs which brim with evocative colours, exotic scenery and above all, human emotions.

A Magnum photographer since 1986, McCurry has more than 10 books published to his name. The Unguarded Moment is a powerful collection of 75 portraits and scenes focussing on the ethnological and cultural variety of the world.