photo: © Martin Parr Magnum Photos Rocket Gallery
The World Photography Organisation (WPO) named British documentary photographer Martin Parr the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award. Parr was to receive the honor in London on April 20 during the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards ceremony.
Parr’s work was shown during the Sony World Photography Awards from April 21 through May 7, 2017. The presentation included black-and-white photographs from early in his career, along with a selection of his best-known work, books and films. The photographer also gave a talk at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on Friday, April 21.
Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Martin Parr used his distinctive view of the world to capture themes such as leisure, consumption, and communication from surprising angles. His candid observations reflected international phenomena.
Parr played a pioneering role in documentary photography. His dedication and groundbreaking approach led the WPO to present him with this honor. The photographer had recently remarked: “If I knew how to take a great photograph, I would stop.”
Previous recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award include Mary Ellen Mark, Eve Arnold, Bruce Davidson, and Elliott Erwitt.
Martin Parr was born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1952. His grandfather introduced him to photography. His early work was in black and white. In the 1980s, he moved to the vivid color photography for which he is known today. He drew inspiration from photographers including Stephen Shore, William Eggleston, Peter Fraser, and Joel Meyerowitz.
Martin Parr
Martin Parr compels viewers to take a closer look at everyday life. He has often been accused of mocking the people he photographs. The Last Resort (1985) is widely recognized as his breakthrough. Since that exhibition, he has become an inspiration to a generation of young photographers. He has amassed an extensive collection of photography books and has also published many books of his own.
Parr has been a member of Magnum Photos since 1988 and was elected president of Magnum Photos International in 2014.
Curator Zelda Cheatle filled three galleries at Somerset House in London with photographs, books, and films by Martin Parr. The exhibition opened with a selection of images from Parr’s Abandoned Morris Minors series, featuring photographs taken on Ireland’s west coast between 1980 and 1983. In contrast, it also presented some of Parr’s best-loved images focused on tourism around the world.
