03.09.10
Black Country Stories by Martin Parr
Photo: GB. England. Dudley. Making sticks of rock at Teddy Gray's, confectionery manufacturer. 2010
One of Britain’s most influential Magnum Photographers, Martin Parr, has spent a year documenting life in the Black Country, exploring modern day society and the cultural make up of the region.
Painting a portrait of British life from his own unique perspective through the eye of a lens, Martin Parr has created an archive of photography that will be displayed in a free exhibition at The Public in West Bromwich from Thursday 11 November 2010 to Sunday 23 January 2011.
The collection of over 750 images, that has been commissioned by Multistory, a local community arts organisation, captures and celebrates everyday Black Country living and working at local factories and industries, markets, shops, Gurdwaras, Temples, Mosques, Churches, restaurants, cafes, clubs and pubs, weddings and local cultural celebrations for St George’s day, Easter and Vaisakhi.
Parr's process of documenting and recording is fuelled by his passion and a curiosity, taking inspiration from his surroundings. His intimate approach, photographing his subjects in their own environment, gives him space to explore their lives and values in ways that often involve inadvertent humour.
Running alongside the exhibition will be ‘Show Me A Secret’, a project led by Martin Parr, in which students and tutors from Sandwell College Photography Department collectively photographed their own interpretations of Black Country life.
Linda Saunders, Managing Director of The Public said,
“Martin Parr’s exhibition is not only a fascinating portrayal of everyday community life it also plays a significant educational role, teaching the audience about the cultural makeup of such a diverse region.”
Martin Parr’s photographs can be found in numerous international public collections including the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, the Paul Getty Center of Los Angeles, the MOMA in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, the Los Angeles County Museum and the Tate Modern in London.
The exhibition runs from Thursday 11 November 2010 to Sunday 23 January 2011; Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm.
For more information about all events at The Public visit www.thepublic.com or call the box office on 0121 533 7161
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