Abbas Attar Biography
“My photography is a reflection, which comes to life in action and leads to meditation. Spontaneity - the suspended moment - intervenes during action, in the viewfinder. ”
These words, spoken by Abbas Attar, truly describes his work. Dedicating himself to the coverage of social and political life of societies in conflict, Abbas Attar is defined as one of the most extraordinary photographers, only working in black and white. He has a keen eye for the world, seeking out people and places overlooked by much of the world. He has a special ability to freeze a moment in a particular social or political conflict, his candids: what he calls ‘the suspended moment’. Abbas joined photography agency, Magnum, in 1981, and served as President of Magnum from 1998 to 2001. He is known for his photojournalism of different, nations in war or revolution, and extensive work on religion. The moments he has captured on camera, makes you stop, stare, and think. His photography has covered wars and revolutions in Ulster, Bangladesh, Chile, South Africa, Biafra, Cuba, the Middle East, and Vietnam, as well as coverage of Northern Ireland. Over many years, Attar has covered over 29 countries and published 17 books in his journeys capturing developing nations.
The Iranian photographer, born in 1944 and relocated to Paris, took the streets of Iran from 1978-1980 to photograph and document the popular uprisings. His photographs are some of the most iconic images of the Iranian Revolution. Abbas later returned to Iran in 1997, after 17 years of voluntary exile. One of his books, Iran Diary, 1971-2002 is a critical interpretation of its history, photographed and written as a personal diary.
During his years of exile, Attar travelled constantly. In 1983, for three years, he ventured into Mexico, photographing the country as if he were writing a novel. An exhibition and book, Return to Mexico, Journey Beyond the Mask, includes his travel diaries, travel notes, and images, help him define
These words, spoken by Abbas Attar, truly describes his work. Dedicating himself to the coverage of social and political life of societies in conflict, Abbas Attar is defined as one of the most extraordinary photographers, only working in black and white. He has a keen eye for the world, seeking out people and places overlooked by much of the world. He has a special ability to freeze a moment in a particular social or political conflict, his candids: what he calls ‘the suspended moment’. Abbas joined photography agency, Magnum, in 1981, and served as President of Magnum from 1998 to 2001. He is known for his photojournalism of different, nations in war or revolution, and extensive work on religion. The moments he has captured on camera, makes you stop, stare, and think. His photography has covered wars and revolutions in Ulster, Bangladesh, Chile, South Africa, Biafra, Cuba, the Middle East, and Vietnam, as well as coverage of Northern Ireland. Over many years, Attar has covered over 29 countries and published 17 books in his journeys capturing developing nations.
The Iranian photographer, born in 1944 and relocated to Paris, took the streets of Iran from 1978-1980 to photograph and document the popular uprisings. His photographs are some of the most iconic images of the Iranian Revolution. Abbas later returned to Iran in 1997, after 17 years of voluntary exile. One of his books, Iran Diary, 1971-2002 is a critical interpretation of its history, photographed and written as a personal diary.
During his years of exile, Attar travelled constantly. In 1983, for three years, he ventured into Mexico, photographing the country as if he were writing a novel. An exhibition and book, Return to Mexico, Journey Beyond the Mask, includes his travel diaries, travel notes, and images, help him define