Photographer Martin Parr Dies at 73, Leaving Legacy of British New Color Documentary
Martin Parr, a prominent British photographer, passed away at the age of 73. He was a key figure in the "British New Color Documentary" movement, moving away from the conventional black-and-white style. His series The Last Resort, created between 1983 and 1985, showcased the leisure activities of the working class at New Brighton's beaches, earning both praise and criticism. His subsequent work, The Cost of Living (1986-88), examined privilege amid Britain's economic struggles. Parr became a member of Magnum Photos in 1994, overcoming opposition from traditionalists like Henri Cartier-Bresson, and held the presidency from 2013 to 2017. He traveled widely in Asia and co-authored The Chinese Photobook in 2015. His first solo exhibition in mainland China, titled "Short & Sweet," was held in early 2025. In 2014, he established The Martin Parr Foundation. He is survived by his wife Susie, daughter Ellen, and grandson George.
Key facts
- Martin Parr died at age 73
- He was a key figure in the British New Color Documentary movement
- His series The Last Resort was shot between 1983 and 1985
- He joined Magnum Photos in 1994
- Parr served as president of Magnum Photos from 2013 to 2017
- He established The Martin Parr Foundation in 2014
- His first solo exhibition in mainland China was in early 2025 at Fotografiska Shanghai
- He co-authored The Chinese Photobook: From the 1900s to the Present in 2015
Entities
Artists
- Martin Parr
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Iain Cocks
Institutions
- Magnum Photos
- The Martin Parr Foundation
- Fotografiska Shanghai
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Britain
- New Brighton
- China
- India
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- North Korea
- Pyongyang
- Shanghai