Martin Parr is a very British photographer. And his work is very close to our hearts. Unlike us mere mortals he sees the world through the most irreverent of viewfinders.
He has the ability to point his camera at ordinary stuff, like we all often do. However when Martin’s photographs develop they seem to quietly whisper in your ear. ‘Hey look how ridiculous everything is.’ His shots of Liverpool (my home town) in the 80’s carry a special resonance. It really was that bad. Thatcher’s attempt to drain the life out of the place caught and captured in his unforgiving lens.
But his shots of British people (often on holiday in this green and unpleasant land) are what we found facinating.
Chewing gum, bacon butties, sunbathing in front of a tank, swimming in rubbish. Incredible stuff.
His pictures from this era are often over saturated with colour.
But the saccharin, sweet taste is meant to leave you with the taste of sick in your mouth.
Often imitated. Very rarely bettered.
He is truly a one off.
Below are several shots by Mr Parr.
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