MARTIN PARR. EARLY WORKS

Bird clubs in Surrey, pilgrimages in Ireland, holiday resorts and village banquettes are only a few of the places and social activities which first grasped Martin Parr’s attention.
In a special selection of over fifty rarely seen black and white images this show focuses on the subtleties of the unnoticed episodes found in the everyday. Whether it be communities draped in local traditions, street life or the unforgettable fluctuating island weather, Parr always makes us look twice to cherish the funny sides of life.

With EARLY WORKS the Fotografie Forum Frankfurt premiers in Germany this exhibition of photographs made by the British photographer between 1970 and 1985. As an observer of life, the ironic and socially critical eye of MAGNUM photographer Martin Parr has become an integral part of the history of photography.

Martin Parr (*1952 in Epsom, Surrey, UK) is a British photographer known for his perceptive and often ironic documentation of everyday life. Parr studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic and began his career in the 1970s. His work is characterised by its satirical depiction of social issues. Initially working in black and white, he switched to colour photography in the mid-1980s. He has been a member of the renowned MAGNUM photo agency since 1994. Parr has published numerous books and his work is exhibited and collected worldwide. In addition to his work as a photographer, he is active as a curator and collector. The Martin Parr Foundation was established in 2014 and is based in Bristol.

MARTIN PARR. EARLY WORKS was curated by Celina Lunsford in close collaboration with the photographer and the Martin Parr Foundation.