A major new exhibition of work by the late photographer Martin Parr opens today (June 27) featuring his last project before his death aged 73 last December. Parr was known worldwide for his wry and often humorous observations of ordinary Britons and everyday British life, and his final work goes on show at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, known as the home of photography.
Parr's Return to Lacock
Surrey-born Parr first visited the Wiltshire village in the 1980s as he was developing the distinctive documentary style that brought worldwide acclaim. Four decades on, he returned last year for the National Trust for what would be his final commission. Once again turning his lens on Lacock, he documented its VE-Day celebrations, annual flower show and scarecrow trail – moments of celebration, community gatherings and the quieter details of everyday life. Seen together, they form a vivid portrait of contemporary Britain as experienced through a single Wiltshire village.
Widow's Reflections
Parr’s widow Susie said: “It was such a bittersweet experience for me to look through these photos of Lacock taken by Martin over the past year. There are so many echoes from his work throughout his long career. It’s a credit to Martin that he made this work, so full of the life he loved, when his health was failing so dramatically. What a great way to end such a distinguished career, back in the home of photography.”
The Spiritual Home of Photography
The village of Lacock is the former home of the scientist and photographic pioneer Henry Fox Talbot, who invented the negative, and is viewed as the spiritual home of the art. Alongside the exhibition, the National Trust has published an accompanying book of the exhibition images with a foreword by Susie Parr. A short film made during the project will also be shown, offering further context on Parr’s final months of work and his longstanding connection to the village.
Parr's Battle with Cancer
Sadly, Parr died of cancer, which he had battled since 2021, before the exhibition. Dr Andy Cochrane, Curator at Lacock, said: “Martin knew that modern photography began at Lacock, and it was important to him that this remarkable place should feature in his archive. What we did not foresee is that this project would end up being his last major commission.
A Poetic Closure
“That it was focused on the place where photography began, poetically closes the circle. Martin was smart, serious, witty and hardworking. Collaborating with him was a joy, and his focus on Lacock last year was his gift to us all.” The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with Magnum Photos and the Martin Parr Foundation, supported by the National Trust’s photo printing partner CEWE.
Exhibition Details
Lacock by Martin Parr opens at the Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock Abbey on June 27 and runs until June 27 next year.
