Parr: The Extraordinary Ordinary
by Margot Striegel ‘24
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New Brighton, England (The Last Resort), 1983-85
Described as “strange” and “gimmicky”, photographer Martin Parr is no stranger to documenting subjects of this theme, in the present here and now. The British artist is most prominently known for his photographs that represent moments of the contemporary world, almost genre scenes. All with an organic comedic flair, Parr’s pieces capture the idiosyncratic nature of the world around us, from portraits to broader landscapes. He is one of the world’s most recognized and successful documentary photographers, and his works are satirical, cultural, and intimate all at once. With a career spanning over four decades, the artist has garnered a true mastery of the local, the daily, and the extraordinary ordinary.
While encapsulating these various moments of regularity, he simultaneously invokes senses of longing and uncertainty. We feel as though we know these scenarios; we have seen them with our own eyes, yet they actually are distant. That woman could be my neighbor, my friend, my sister; that baby could be me! This voice is one I certainly heard in my head as I perused his works. I thoroughly recognize and enjoy his implementation of comedy through his work as well. Whether it be a juxtaposition of figures or a scene that is a perfect once-in-a-lifetime moment, Parr shows that he truly understands life as an amalgamation of excitement, routine, and everything in between.
Benidorm, Spain (Autoportrait), 1997
In the blanket of familiarity, there is comfort, there is acceptance, and there is peace in the stillness. His style of high-saturated photos also grants the viewer a childlike sensibility, with the bright colors making a powerful impact upon that first glance. This is just one of the various elements Parr employs to successfully enthrall the viewer. The event itself that is recorded, whether it be static or dynamic, a portrait or an object, retains a sense of vibrancy and life. There is a lifelike, comedic, and beautifully simple technique within these pieces.
I find the most captivating aspect of his work to be the theme of sheer simplicity from which he never strays. These scenes are familiar to us; at a glance, they may seem insignificant, yet they engage us nonetheless. They have a hint of mystery, a hint of questioning about who, what, where, when, or why these situations are. The very essence of photography is to capture a moment in time, and that is exactly what Parr achieves with great mastery. I had not been very familiar with the realm of photography prior to visiting this exhibition and thoroughly diving into his oeuvre, but after viewing this I have gained a new appreciation for this wonderful art form. Parr is an exemplary artist for his ability to bring out the magic hidden in the everyday.
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Martin Parr: Time and Place
In the Daley Family and Monan Galleries at the McMullen
January 31 - June 5, 2022
Free Sunday Docent Tours, 2pm - 3pm in the Museum Atrium
Museum Hours:
Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm
Saturday-Sunday, noon-5pm
Finglas Shopping Centre, Dublin, 1986
Edited by: Sindey Amar 24’
