Martin Parr passed away in December 2025 — a profound loss to the art world which had recognised him as one of the most iconic figures in British contemporary and documentary photography.
His connection to Hong Kong dates back to 2013, when he was commissioned by Blindspot Gallery to produce a series about the city, later published as Hong Kong Parr (2013) and followed by his first-ever solo exhibition in Hong Kong at the gallery in 2014. Thirteen years on, one can only imagine how Parr might have captured the city as it stands today. Revisiting his works now feels especially timely, since the world we once knew has undergone drastic changes, lending his images an uncanny and all too familiar visage.
This online exhibition pays tribute to to his legacy, showcasing seminal works including The Last Resort (1983-1985) which marked his decisive shift from black-and-white documentary to colour photography and propelled him to international recognition; Luxury (1995-2011); and Hong Kong (2013), commissioned by Blindspot Gallery.Parr is celebrated for his unfiltered, raw, and satirical depictions of the everyday, instilled with humour and affection. His bold, sharp, and vividly coloured photographs capture recurring themes that he was drawn to, including consumerism, food culture, mass tourism, national eccentricities, and the kitsch. Through these themes, he revealed shifting realities and the sociopolitical undercurrents of his time.
Parr is celebrated for his unfiltered, raw, and satirical depictions of the everyday, instilled with humour and affection. His bold, sharp, and vividly coloured photographs capture recurring themes that he was drawn to, including consumerism, food culture, mass tourism, national eccentricities, and the kitsch. Through these themes, he revealed shifting realities and the sociopolitical undercurrents of his time.
