Work:
Parr is a prolific photographer and has produced a wealth of books which all tend to centre on issues of tourism and consumerism. He explores the constructed myths that are created within society. The cliches in which we live our daily lives. For example the weekend or holiday excursion, the escape to a more relaxing or beautiful place. In reality many of these places e.g. beach resorts are crowded with similar visitors, the impact of commerce on such places is evident everywhere, and in reality these places are often littered with rubbish. (See his book The Last Resort, 1984). He documents a false world full of polystyrene of man made materials and mass produced goods. Parr has been preoccupied with how small the world is becoming as theme parks are established which allow you to visit other cultures. He also comments on the desire to not really visit a place for the experience but to say we have been, to buy the postcard and take the picture and return home. His photographs are extremely humourous, ironic and at the same time very critical of the culture we have developed. (See Small World). In his book Common Sense Parr continues to look at the bizarre world of tourism examining a range of issues from the 'global' food on sale, the rubbish generated, the 'take your photograph here' signs. In his series Point of Sale he explores consumerism in more detail and records the variety of choices we have our need to consume and considers what the future holds in terms of world resources. Martin Parr is a nominee of Magnum documentary photography agency. Parr represents a figure in a group of new documentary photographers who began working in the 1980s in a new grittier, harsher way. This new group of photographers did not believe that photography was an objective medium, but, instead it was a personal tool which allowed a critique of society and culture. Parr questions not only the world around us but the nature of documentary photography as well.