Martin Parr 'Global warning'

The Jeu de Paume is dedicating a major exhibition to British photographer Martin Parr, a leading figure in contemporary photography. Entitled ‘Global Warning’, this retrospective brings together around 180 works created since the late 1970s. Through his ironic and colourful lens, Parr paints an uncompromising portrait of our era, marked by overconsumption, mass tourism, North/South imbalances and the omnipresence of plastic.

Humour as a wake-up call

Far from doom-mongering, Parr chooses humour to raise awareness. His photographs, often funny and offbeat, capture the absurdities of everyday life: crowded beaches, packed supermarkets, compulsive selfies… Familiar scenes that, through his lens, become symbols of a world in imbalance. This satirical approach, inherited from the English tradition, allows Parr to criticise without condemning, to make people think without making them feel guilty.

A work that is both appealing and critical

The exhibition offers a fresh take on Parr's work, highlighting his ability to combine appealing aesthetics with a profound message. Without ever placing himself above his subject, the photographer documents the shortcomings of our society with benevolent lucidity. The exhibition, designed by curator Quentin Bajac, highlights the richness of this approach, which lies somewhere between documentary and visual satire.

An event not to be missed

Accessible to all audiences, ‘Global Warning’ is much more than an exhibition: it is an invitation to look at our daily lives differently and question our habits. A publication co-edited with Phaidon will accompany the event, enriched with analyses by researchers in the humanities. This is a unique opportunity to rediscover Martin Parr, a photographer of the ordinary who has become a critical witness of our time.

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