Martin Parr “Return to Manchester” Manchester Art Gallery

| Sue Hare

A week on my own and what do I do but wake up really early! Martin Parr’s exhibition would be great for my final piece. I thought it would complement yesterday’s “This life is so everyday”, so off I go to Manchester. Things may seem everyday but are they? This life is only seemingly everyday I think.

  • Blackpool, Scarborough, Margate?
  • Might be anywhere on the British coast
In the reading room. This lady kindly let me photograph her resting on top of the portly man. I should have asked her more. Was she the woman opposite? There’s a resemblance!

Martin Parr started off in black and white then took to colour film as it became more accessible when he was a young art student. I enjoyed the exhibition but wonder if he is really kindly toward his subjects or mocking? The gallery goers certainly enjoy it! Laughing, reminiscing, joking.

“He doesn’t romanticize”

“He photographs people just as they are…he doesn’t elevate people or make them more than they are”

A copy of a page in the Manchester Art Gallery notes. This is hilarious. I have been to similar parties and can hear this clearly in my head!

Lots of ideas from this exhibition. The Manchester Art Gallery set of Martin Parr Post cards I bought show ordinariness and sameness even when quite some time has passed, some things don’t change that much. I’ll see what I can do with contrasting black and white and colour photos of similar subjects in my home and compare them with my parent’s home? I know Martin Parr is popular but I am not sure that I get a good feeling from some of his work. Is he laughing at or with people?

Leave a comment