Martin Parr
Martin Parr
Martin Parris a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological 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, The Last Resort, The Cost of Living, Small Worldand Common Sense...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionPhotographer
Date of Birth25 May 1952
family local prepare struck valuable vietnam visited
When I visited Vietnam for Oxfam, the thing that really struck me was how the local farmers had to prepare to evacuate or climb to their mezzanines with their valuable family possessions.
work
There are elements of irony in my work, of course.
british fly glad leaving
When I fly British Airways, I can't help but read the free Daily Mail, which makes me glad I am leaving the country.
art dancing double flow great joining stand time
Over the years, I have perfected the art of dancing and photographing at the same time: it's a great double act. If you're dancing, you are joining in. If you stand there rigid, you are not in the flow of things.
ahead design everyday imagine individual looking spend start time urge
I would urge everyone to start looking at the world in a different way. Spend some time looking at everyday objects, at their design, their shape, their individual characteristics. Think ahead and imagine their significance.
subject taboo
Photographers never want to talk about the fact that they may well be in decline. It's the greatest taboo subject of all.
people
When I am in London, all I do is mix with other people in the arts.
My profile is bigger in Europe than it is in the U.K.
everywhere jarring
If there is any jarring at all in my photographs, it's because we are so used to ingesting pictures of everywhere looking beautiful.
aficionado british famous great throughout visited worked
I pride myself in being an aficionado of the British seaside. Throughout my career, I have visited and worked in many of the famous British resorts, from Great Yarmouth to Largs.
buy food looks package photo sold
If you go to the supermarket and buy a package of food and look at the photo on the front, the food never looks like that inside, does it? That is a fundamental lie we are sold every day.
projects travel work
By default, I am a travel photographer. I work on a combination of commissions and personal projects that take me around the world.
I do read many of the photography magazines from the U.K. and abroad.
tourists records moments
From the moment the tourist enters the site, everyone has to be photographed in front of every feature of note.... The photographic record of the visit has almost destroyed the very notion of actually looking.