Martin Parr

(British, born 1952)

Martin Parr is a contemporary British photographer. Best known as a chronicler of life in provincial England, his unconventional observation of human behaviors serves as a mirror to reflect society’s values. Exploring themes of consumerism, globalization, and social stratification, Parr’s humorous yet visually seductive take on life is exemplified in his photobook The Last Resort (1986). “Unless it hurts, unless there's some vulnerability there, I don't think you're going to get good photographs,” he has said. Born on May 23, 1952 in Epsom, United Kingdom, he studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic from 1970 until 1973. Parr switched from black-and-white to color photography in 1984, joining peers such as Paul Graham. He went on to produce a number of series including Life’s a Beach (1986), and became a member of the revered collective Magnum Photos in 1988. Along with his numerous photobooks, the artist has also pursued filmmaking and fashion editorial work. He currently lives and works in London, United Kingdom. Today, Parr’s works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, among others.

Martin Parr Artworks

Martin Parr (401 results)
Knokke (portfolio of 15), 2002

Martin Parr

Knokke (portfolio of 15), 2002

Sale Date: January 26, 2005

Auction Closed

Paris, 2000–2000

Martin Parr

Paris, 2000–2000

Sale Date: June 30, 2004

Auction Closed

Hebden Bridge, 1981–1981

Martin Parr

Hebden Bridge, 1981–1981

Sale Date: April 24, 2004

Auction Closed

New Brighton, 1984–1985

Martin Parr

New Brighton, 1984–1985

Sale Date: April 24, 2004

Auction Closed

Cost of living, 1986–1989

Martin Parr

Cost of living, 1986–1989

Sale Date: October 16, 2003

Auction Closed

Signs of the times, 1992–1992

Martin Parr

Signs of the times, 1992–1992

Sale Date: October 16, 2003

Auction Closed

West Bay, 1996–1996

Martin Parr

West Bay, 1996–1996

Sale Date: October 16, 2003

Auction Closed

The last resort, 1983–1986

Martin Parr

The last resort, 1983–1986

Sale Date: October 16, 2003

Auction Closed

Glastonbury Tor, 1976–1976

Martin Parr

Glastonbury Tor, 1976–1976

Sale Date: November 11, 2002

Auction Closed

New Brighton (Boy and girl eating ice..., 1984–1986

Martin Parr

New Brighton (Boy and girl eating ice..., 1984–1986

Sale Date: October 23, 2001

Auction Closed

New Brighton (Two female judges), 1984–1986

Martin Parr

New Brighton (Two female judges), 1984–1986

Sale Date: October 23, 2001

Auction Closed

New Brighton (Young woman selling..., 1984–1986

Martin Parr

New Brighton (Young woman selling..., 1984–1986

Sale Date: October 23, 2001

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1998–1998

Martin Parr

Sans titre, 1998–1998

Sale Date: June 23, 2001

Auction Closed

Boring photographs, 2000–2000

Martin Parr

Boring photographs, 2000–2000

Sale Date: April 18, 2001

Auction Closed

BEACH, 'THE LAST RESORT', 1983–1985

Martin Parr

BEACH, 'THE LAST RESORT', 1983–1985

Sale Date: May 12, 1994

Auction Closed

EATING ICE CREAM, 'THE LAST RESORT', 1983–1985

Martin Parr

EATING ICE CREAM, 'THE LAST RESORT', 1983–1985

Sale Date: May 12, 1994

Auction Closed

MISS ROSEBUD, NEW BRIGHTON, 1985

Martin Parr

MISS ROSEBUD, NEW BRIGHTON, 1985

Sale Date: October 20, 1993

Auction Closed