Martin Parr’s Eye for Human Folly

The New Yorker

by Lauren Collins

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Martin Parr, the British photographer who passed away in December at age seventy-three, was celebrated for his sharp eye on human appetites and the contradictions they create. Known for his vibrant, often garish use of color, Parr’s work captures the excess and absurdity of modern consumer culture. A retrospective of his photos, *Global Warning*, currently on display at Paris’ Jeu de Paume museum, showcases over 180 images spanning five decades, revealing both his evolution as an artist and his unwavering focus on themes of consumption, identity, and societal norms. Parr’s career began with black-and-white photographs of abandoned Morris Minors in Ireland, highlighting the elegiac quality of innovation’s decline. His shift to color in 1983 was inspired by American photographers like Joel Meyerowitz and Stephen Shore, leading to iconic images of working-class vacationers at resorts, captured in hyper-saturated hues that defy subtlety. His “Common Sense” series, featuring phallic pastries and a portrait of a priest cropped to reveal only his collar and chin, underscores his ability to blend the surreal with the mundane, exposing the darker side of consumerism. Parr’s work challenges traditional notions of photography, as seen in his battles with Magnum co-founder Henri Cartier-Bresson, who found his style too harsh. Yet, his bold approach has left an indelible mark on visual storytelling. His images, from supermarket trolleys to holiday-themed bootleg perfume bottles, reflect a world obsessed with consumption and status, offering a critical commentary on modern life. Parr’s legacy lies in his ability to make the familiar strange, forcing viewers to confront the contradictions of their appetites—and society’s—through the lens of his unique vision.

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 3/3/2026