Martin Parr's 'Global Warning' Exhibition at Jeu de Paime Presents Final Photographic Statement

The Jeu de Paume in Paris is currently hosting 'Martin Parr, Global Warning,' a major exhibition of the British photographer's work that he personally helped curate before his death in December 2025. The show, which opened in early 2026, presents a comprehensive selection of images spanning five decades of Parr's career. The exhibition's title serves as a direct commentary on climate change, framing Parr's signature critical observation of human behavior and societal excesses within the context of global environmental crisis. Quentin Bajac, director of the Jeu de Paume, collaborated closely with Parr throughout 2025 to select every photograph for the display. Bajac describes Parr's approach as combining incisive humor with bittersweet mockery to deliver profound, indirect social critique. One notable image featured in the exhibition shows a woman with severely sunburned skin wearing Gucci sunglasses, originally created for an advertising commission. This photograph exemplifies Parr's ability to maintain a detached yet relentless perspective on contemporary life and its contradictions. The photographer remained engaged with the exhibition team until the day before his passing, leading many to view this presentation as his final artistic statement. The exhibition has attracted significant public attention since its opening, with visitors responding to Parr's characteristically saturated, visually intense compositions that challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable realities about consumption, leisure, and environmental impact.