Martin Parr
1952–2025 · United Kingdom
Examining habits of consumption.
The story
Martin Parr observed leisure, tourism, food and social conventions, first in black and white and then in emphatic colour. He made ordinary gestures and contemporary contradictions visible. Books, collections and publishing projects were important parts of his activity. His support for other photographers’ work continues through his Bristol foundation and an attention to the history of documentary practices.
Understanding the work
Look at the details crowding the frame: food, posters and clothing. Humour and saturation do not remove the need to consider the photographer’s position in relation to the people and social worlds represented.
Key works and series
The Last Resort; The Cost of Living; Small World; Common Sense.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
10 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
