The Galerie Magnum pays tribute to the life and prolific career of Martin Parr, revisiting his decades-long relationship with Magnum Photos.
On December 6, 2025, Parr passed away at his home in Bristol, England. Martin Parr: In Plain View celebrates the singularity of his gaze, his influence on contemporary photography, and his lasting impact within the agency.
Presented in the brand-new Galerie Magnum in Paris, the exhibition traces the evolution of his work, from his early black-and-white photographs of the 1970s – portraits of close-knit communities in northern England and Ireland, imbued with a quiet humanism – to some of his most striking color projects of the 1990s and 2000s. Among them are his saturated and spontaneous view of consumer society in Common Sense, as well as his comic and eccentric exploration of English identity in Think of England.
Bringing together around thirty prints, archives, and interactive elements, Martin Parr: In Plain View illustrates how the artist managed to capture the strangeness of everyday life and cultural nuances through a variety of subjects; from fashionable beaches and tourism to cups of tea. His taste for contrasts, irony, and idiosyncratic forms of leisure has profoundly shaped the collective imagination of British life, transforming the ordinary into moments of cultural significance.
The exhibition also features exclusive images from Parr’s life within Magnum, accompanied by texts, archives, and correspondence, demonstrating that he was not only a major figure in photography, but also a deeply cherished member of the Magnum community.
Having joined Magnum as an associate in 1988, the photographer born in Epsom remained a full member of the cooperative for more than thirty years and served as its president from 2013 to 2017. “His humor, clarity, and vision shaped many discussions within the agency and in the world of photography,” says Magnum co-president Lorenzo Meloni.
“You hear people say: ‘That’s a Martin Parr.’ No other photographer – at least in my lifetime – has ever had that distinction,” says Magnum photographer David Hurn.
“This exhibition pays tribute to Martin Parr’s unique vision, whose sharp eye on contemporary society and major role within Magnum Photos have left a lasting mark on the world of photography. His influence spans generations, inspiring photographers and captivating both amateurs and connoisseurs. It therefore seemed particularly meaningful to us to inaugurate our new space with a celebration of his work,” says Clemence Vichard-Larroque, Gallery Manager.
The exhibition runs from March 28 to June 6, alongside Martin Parr’s exhibition Global Warning at the Jeu de Paume in Paris (January 30 – May 24, 2026), as well as Martin Parr’s exhibition Small World at Galerie Clementine de la Feronniere (March 26 – May 30, 2026). This trio of exhibitions in Paris offers a unique opportunity to discover, or rediscover, the work of Martin Parr.
All prints exhibited at Galerie Magnum are available for sale. For any inquiries, please contact the gallery staff directly or write to: [email protected]
Martin Parr: In Plain View
Until June 6, 2026
Galerie Magnum Paris
2 impasse Delaunay
75011 Paris
www.magnumphotos.com
