Martin Parr

The prolific Martin Parr has had an extraordinary career as a satirical documentary photographer. Art historian Louis Kaplan explains, “Parr forged a career out of making the most ordinary things appear comically extraordinary and mocking the foibles of people from all states in his rather class-conscious country-not to mention everywhere else. Parr’s piercing and ironic look at the British working class as crass ‘white trash’ on holiday in the seaside town of New Brighton in Merseyside in The Last Resort (1983-1985) was a breakthrough and controversial project that rankled with many people for its unflattering views.” While some view Parr’s work as elitist, in numerous projects over the years Parr has demonstrated a rather egalitarian approach to criticism, taking aim at middle and upper classes as well, positioning himself as a social satirist. Parr notes, “I am looking for the vulnerability in society. I’m putting my finger on society’s vulnerabilities.”