Martin Parr

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This retrospective of Martin Parr (b.1952) showcases the wit and color characteristic of his photography while providing a serious assessment of his significant career. Parr's work reflects an urge to document social behavior with a tone of incisive bemusement. Val Williams, a distinguished writer and curator, examines Parr's later, most renowned work in the context of his entire career, illustrating how his striking photographs have captured political and social changes over the past 30 years. Initially starting in Britain, Parr has gained a broad international following, and this book delivers the long-awaited overview of his work. It includes previously unpublished early pieces, his original 1974 installation 'Home Sweet Home', and early black-and-white photographs from Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, where he lived in the 1970s, alongside images from Ireland and Salford. Additionally, it features selections from his published works, including The Last Resort, The Cost of Living, Signs of the Times, and Think of England (published by Phaidon). With access to Parr's archives and extensive interviews, Williams explores his life, career, influences, and significance in the realms of art and photography.