Mauricio Lima

GRANTEE

Mauricio Lima [São Paulo, Brazil] is an independent documentary photographer. 
Working extensively in the Middle East and Europe, and more recently in Central America, Lima has focused his career on social issues that may turn into humanitarian crises and daily life in the aftermath of hostile situations. His work frequently appears in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and National Geographic, among others.

In 2016, Mauricio Lima became the first Brazilian citizen to receive the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for his essay on refugees seeking asylum in Europe, after being a finalist in 2015 for his work over the conflict in Ukraine.

Lima holds numerous international awards, the World Press Photo (twice), Pictures of the Year International (four times), Overseas Press Club of America (2016), The Frontline Club Award London (2015), Bayeux-Calvados des Correspondants de Guerre (2006), among many others. He was named photographer of the year by Pictures of the Year Latin America (2015) and by TIME magazine (2010). Lima is the only Brazilian photographer knighted with the Gabriel García Márquez award, by Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano (2004), the most prestigious recognition in Latin America.

He started his career as a trainee photographer in 1999 for a local sports newspaper in São Paulo, before being invited to join Agence France-Presse as a staff-contract for almost 11 years. He decided to work independently since early 2011.

Lima's work has been displayed in solo and collective exhibitions in Brazil, France, Italy, Russia, UAE and the United States.