Autoportrait

by Martin Parr

This is a fully revised and updated edition of Martin Parr s highly successful book Autoportrait which was first published in 2000. Redesigned, it features a playable labyrinth puzzle on the front cover and includes a large number of new images taken since its first publication. The book shows the remarkable shift from analogue to digital photography that has taken place over the period. For the last thirty years, when Martin Parr has travelled on assignment throughout the world he has had his portrait taken whether by a local studio photographer, a street photographer, or in a photo booth. The result is a true celebration of portrait taking ranging from elaborate studio sets reminiscent of the heyday of the Victorian studio photographer, through to digitally manipulated images of Parr as Mr Universe, or images horrendously re-touched by a studio in their attempts to flatter him. Presented in chronological order, the photos follow Parr as he ages gently on his travels across continents. As with all Parr s projects the book is not only hilarious but also comments on a world beyond the frame not only in the apparent cultural differences between countries but also in its broader social and political references. It also reflects on identity and self, questioning the whole notion of the photographic portrait.

Genres: Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

Published December 11, 2015

About the author

Martin Parr was born in Epsom, Surrey, UK in 1952. When he was a boy, his budding interest in the medium of photography was encouraged by his grandfather George Parr, himself a keen amateur photographer.

Parr studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic, from 1970-1973. Since that time, Martin Parr has worked on numerous photographic projects. He has developed an international reputation for his innovative imagery, his oblique approach to social documentary, and his input to photographic culture within the UK and abroad.

In 1994 he became a full member of Magnum Photographic Corporation. In recent years, he has developed an interest in filmmaking, and has started to use his photography within different conventions, such as fashion and advertising.

In 2002 the Barbican Art Gallery and the National Media Museum initiated a large retrospective of Parr's work. This show toured Europe for the next 5 years.

Parr was appointed Professor of Photography in 2004 at The University of Wales Newport campus. He was Guest Artistic Director for Rencontres D'Arles in 2004. In 2006 he was awarded the Erich Salomon Prize and the resulting Assorted Cocktail show opened at Photokina. In 2008 he was guest curator at the New York Photo Festival, curating the New Typologies exhibition. At PhotoEspana, 2008, he won the Baume et Mercier award in recognition of his professional career and contributions to contemporary photography.

Reviews

[Miss Lo Flipo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esto me parece hilarante y una genialidad. De dónde ha salido Martin Parr.

[Jon Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious but features Martin Parr himself rather than photos actually taken by him

[Ludo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Je n'arrive décidément pas à me faire aux photographies de Martin Parr (à quelques rares séries près). Ces autoportraits sont un comble de kitsch : on le sait et c'est assumé... mais moi je n'arrive pas à rentrer dedans !