A new exhibition of portraits by photographer Martin Parr opened on Thursday featuring pictures of “Brexit Britain” captured since the country voted to leave the EU.
The display, at London’s National Portrait Gallery, spans Parr’s decades documenting the idiosyncrasies of mass culture and British identity, and includes previously unseen portraits of celebrities.
But it is also the first chance to see his latest project: photographs of Britons from the heartlands of anti-European Union sentiment, shot as a divided nation prepares to depart the bloc.
Parr focused in particular on the Brexit-backing West Midlands, Cornwall and Lincolnshire regions of England for the series.
“I’m photographing Britain all the time but when the referendum came, I thought I must go to areas that I knew were heavily voting for Brexit and see what was happening there,” he told AFP at a preview of the exhibition.
“It’s about British identity and who we are at this time of potential change.”
Britons are pictured with their dogs, displaying patriotism on St George’s Day — an annual celebration for England’s patron saint — and on the wedding day of Prince Harry last year.
- ‘Essence of Brexit’ –
In one of the most striking, a small group stand on a beach in Cornwall in southwest England staring out to sea next to a fluttering red flag, used on beaches to signify danger.
“I’m photographing Britain all the time but when the referendum came, I thought I must go to areas that I knew were heavily voting for Brexit and see what was happening there,” he told AFP at a preview of the exhibition.
“It’s about British identity and who we are at this time of potential change.”
Britons are pictured with their dogs, displaying patriotism on St George’s Day — an annual celebration for England’s patron saint — and on the wedding day of Prince Harry last year.
– ‘Essence of Brexit’ –
In one of the most striking, a small group stand on a beach in Cornwall in southwest England staring out to sea next to a fluttering red flag, used on beaches to signify danger.
They include celebrity portraits never exhibited before, including legendary Brazilian footballer Pele resting his head on a ball and designer Vivienne Westwood standing next to a toilet.
But most of the images stick to Parr’s best-known topic: the British at play.
“I have a love-hate relationship with the British,” Parr confided.
“I love the country… the hate is from the bigotry, xenophobia that caused the Brexit vote.
“You can express that apparent contradiction very effectively by photographing it.”
AP
7/3/2019
Share this:
Discover more from THE OPEN VIEW
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: World News
