Martin Parr

For the British actor, see Martin Parr (actor). For the British colonial governor, see Martin Willoughby Parr.

Martin Parr
CBE
Parr at the V&A in 2024
Born (1952-05-23) 23 May 1952 (age 72)
Epsom, Surrey, England
EducationManchester Polytechnic
Known forPhotography
AwardsHonorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (HonFRPS) in 2005[1]
Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society in 2008[2]
Websitemartinparr.com

Martin Parr CBE (born 23 May 1952) is a British documentary photographer,[3] photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological[4] look at aspects of modern life, in particular documenting the social classes of England, and more broadly the wealth of the Western world.

His major projects have been rural communities (1975–1982), The Last Resort (1983–1985), The Cost of Living (1987–1989), Small World (1987–1994) and Common Sense (1995–1999).

Since 1994, Parr has been a member of Magnum Photos.[4] He has had around 40 solo photobooks published, and has featured in around 80 exhibitions worldwide – including the international touring exhibition ParrWorld,[5] and a retrospective at the Barbican Arts Centre, London, in 2002.[6]

The Martin Parr Foundation, founded in 2014, and registered as a charity in 2015[7] opened premises in his hometown of Bristol in 2017. It houses his own archive, his collection of British and Irish photography by other photographers, and a gallery.[8]

  1. ^ "Honorary Fellowships". Royal Photographic Society. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Centenary Medal". Royal Photographic Society. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  3. ^ Coomes, Phil (29 February 2012). "England Uncensored by Peter Dench". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  4. ^ a b Robert Ayers (15 November 2006), "Martin Parr", Art+Auction, retrieved 23 April 2008
  5. ^ Cadwalladr, Carole (25 October 2009). "Martin Parr: Parrworld". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  6. ^ Cribbin, Joe (7 February 2002). "Martin Parr: Photographic Works at the Barbican". Culture24. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  7. ^ Martin Parr Foundation https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5050353/charity-overview Accessed 30 September 2022
  8. ^ Padley, Gemma (18 September 2017). "Martin Parr's Foundation opens to the public". British Journal of Photography. Retrieved 22 October 2017.