One of contemporary photography’s most compelling figures, Steve McCurry brings the world premiere of his exhibition The Haunted Eye to Istanbul. The show gathers nearly 200 works spanning McCurry’s prolific 50-year career. Featuring both iconic images and never-before-seen photographs, this comprehensive selection is one of the artist’s largest exhibitions to date.

From South Asia to the Middle East, Africa to Latin America, McCurry’s journeys create a visual archive offering a universal narrative on human existence. More than mere documentation, his images evoke profound empathy through their mastery of colour, light, composition, and emotion. Moving beyond his legendary 1984 Afghan Girl portrait, The Haunted Eye invites viewers on an intimate journey through faces, landscapes, and rituals.

This multi-layered exploration of time, geography, and humanity pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling, leaving visitors to reflect upon both ethical and aesthetic sensibilities. Seamlessly intertwined with Istanbul’s rich historical fabric, The Haunted Eye promises to be a highlight of the festival.