Jurmeddorj Nordog, Mongolian throat singer and musician, photograph by Audrey Stein
An Interview with Audrey Stein, by Emma Mayerson
Traveling is in my bones. As a child I used to dream about traveling to faraway lands. As an adult I have traveled to Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China, Nepal, India, Papa New Guinea, Indonesia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Before each journey, I study the history, culture and customs of my destination. Once I arrive, I try to capture the spirit of indigenous cultures, many threatened by extinction, through the lens of my camera. Finally, before I return home to Los Angeles, I often make a philanthropic gift to help meet an unmet need that I have witnessed during my travels.
For decades now I have been an active philanthropist, but until recently my philanthropy was solely directed abroad. Why is that? Perhaps this is because while traveling abroad I spend my time in remote communities where there are many needs. As a photographer, I am especially drawn to cultures and communities that are struggling to survive in today’s competitive global economy and increasingly westernized world. Moved by what I see abroad, I have until recently chosen to focus my philanthropic efforts solely outside the borders of the United States, far from home.
