Martin Parr

Retrospective

July 19 – November 10 2019

“When people laugh and cry at the same time when looking at my pictures, that’s precisely the reaction the pictures evoke in me. The things are neither fundamentally good, nor bad. I am always interested in portraying both extremes.”—Martin Parr

The English photographer Martin Parr is considered one of the most important representatives of contemporary documentary photography and a chronicler of our time. From July 19 to November 10, 2019, we will present the most comprehensive retrospective to date of the British photographer who scans the world with a precise and loving eye and at the same time holds up a mirror to it.

Martin Parr's favorite motif is the human being in their everyday or individually chosen environment. His photographs often seem exaggerated, shrill, colorful, sometimes grotesque. There is often something bewildered and ruthless in his view of people. Paired with the typical English humor, he photographs the world and the people who live in it in the most dazzling colors.

A person in the Martin Parr retrospective looks at pictures of the photographer — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 41424

Portrait Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 3

Several people stand in the Martin Parr retrospective and look at photographs — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 164015

A woman looks into a showcase at the Martin Parr retrospective — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 165437

With over 400 works, the exhibition is the most comprehensive retrospective of the British Magnum photographer to date. In addition to works from famous series such as The Last Resort, Think of England, Luxury, Life's a Beach, and Common Sense, the exhibition in Düsseldorf also includes early photographs from his debut series Bad Weather. The Martin Parr Retrospective not only shows the photographer as a satirist, but also focuses on his photographic skills and the contemporary use of the medium of photography. The series Kleingärtner (Allotment Gardeners), which Martin Parr photographed in the greater Düsseldorf area, was created especially for the exhibition.

Several people are in the Martin Parr retrospective and enjoy the exhibition — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 10

A young man looks at a photo of a red sports car in front of red flowers — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 9

In the Martin Parr retrospective, a person walks past a wall with pictures by Martin parr hanging on it — Ausstellungaansicht Martin Parr Nrw Forum Duesseldorf Foto Katja Illner 3

The Exhibition is curated by Ralph Goertz, director of the IKS—Institut für Kunstdokumentation (Institute for Art Documentation).

Project Partners

Partners