More than 200 images offer a stirring and surreal exploration of Mexico in a retrospective showcase.
**Graciela Iturbide: Woman Angel in the Sonoran Desert and the Growth of an Iconic Photographer**
In 1969, a young Graciela Iturbide set off on a path that would transition her from an aspiring film director to an esteemed photographer whose artistry encapsulates the essence and spirit of Mexican culture. Initially enrolling at the Centro de Estudios Cinematográficos in Mexico, Iturbide quickly redirected her attention to photography, inspired by her partnership with the acclaimed Mexican modernist Manuel Álvarez Bravo.
Among the striking images Iturbide has produced is “Mujer ángel, desierto de Sonora, México,” taken in 1979, a powerful demonstration of her talent to merge documentary realism with poetic vision. This photograph, part of the Collection Fundación MAPFRE, depicts a mysterious and otherworldly figure against the barren beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Iturbide’s employment of black and white tones highlights the contrasts and textures of the scenery, inviting viewers into a moment that feels both ageless and surreal.
Iturbide’s inaugural retrospective in New York, titled *Graciela Iturbide: Serious Play*, is being featured at the International Center of Photography (ICP), presenting a thorough overview of her career spanning five decades. The exhibition showcases nearly 200 photographs that explore the landscapes, peoples, and cultures of Mexico. Iturbide’s work is defined by its investigation of the extraordinary within the mundane and its ability to elevate everyday images to the level of the remarkable.
Her photograph *Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas* depicts a Juchitán woman adorned with iguanas, both challenging and captivating viewers with its fervor and striking composition. Likewise, her self-portrait *Retrato en el campo* offers an introspective and artistically courageous glimpse into her personal story.
Iturbide’s artistry transcends geographic limits; the retrospective also includes photographs from various corners of the globe, encompassing Bangladesh, India, Italy, and Spain. Her nature and landscape photography reflect her deep sense of composition and ambiance. One such image, *Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, México*, captures the poignant scene of a flock of birds traversing the sky, an arresting vision that remains in memory.
The exhibition emphasizes Iturbide’s commitment to documenting and amplifying rural and Indigenous communities, providing a perspective on cultures often overlooked. Her decade-long study of the Juchitán people centers on the empowered and vital roles of women within this Zapotec culture. Concurrently, her experiences with the Seri Indians shed light on the customs of a nomadic culture residing along the Arizona-Mexico border, immortalized in images like *Autorretrato con los indios seris, desierto de Sonora, México*.
*Graciela Iturbide: Serious Play* stands as a homage to Iturbide’s unmatched contributions to photography, illustrating a world rich in narrative depth and cultural vibrancy. The exhibition is available at the International Center of Photography until January 12, 2026, inviting audiences to delve into the expansive and immersive visuals of one of Mexico’s most renowned photographers.