BPH was saddened to learn this morning of the unexpected death of Martin Parr. Once described as 'Britain's best known photographer' Martin studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic in the 1970s and came into public consciousness with his seminal publication of colour photography The Last Resort concisting photographs made in New Brighton between 1983 and 1985. He joined Magnum as a full member in 1994, in the face of sustained opposition from traditionalists. Martin produced over 100 photobooks and was working up to his death on new photography and publications.
Martin sold one of his collections of photobooks to the Tate, some 12,000 titles, in 2017 and the funds were used to set up the Martin Foundation which opened in Bristol the same year, although it had been incorporated in 2014. Its aims were to support British and Irish documentary photographers and their works. The Foundation developed a significant exhibition programme, initiated the Bristol Photo Festival, as well as housing an important collection of photobooks, other photographers' collections, along with Martin's own archive. It is now one of the most significant archives of postwar British photography.
He is survived by his wife, Susie, daughter Ellen, his sister Vivien
Martin was awarded a CBE for servvices to photography in 2021 and the Royal Photographic Society's Honorary Fellowship in 2005 and Centenary Medal in 2008.
More to follow...
See: https://martinparrfoundation.org/about/
and https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/martin-parr-1952-2025/
Photo: Michael Pritchard. Martin Parr at BOP 2023, Bristol.
Comments
I have known Martin since he was a student and during the ensuing years our paths have often crossed. I have been expecting this sad news since learning about his serious medical condition in 2021. There was hope when new stem cell treatment was carried out, but three years was always the prognosis. Martin realised that time was short, so he set about working his bollocks off to produce more photographs, publications and create a sound future for MPF.
He was my automatic choice for Three Perspectives on Photography (together with Brian Griffin, seen her with MP in 1980s doing workshop for me in Derbyshire) at the Hayward Gallery in 1979.
For me, this is not the time to analyse his character, practice or contribution to British photography. When we worked together he always gave 150% despite his laconically informal manner that masked a laser-like focus on his photography and its dissemination. The courage and energy he has demonstrated in his last 3 years has been exceptional and inspiring.
There will never be another Martin Parr
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/07/landmark-briti...
What a beautiful tribute!