Opening: Tuesday 15 April at 7.30 pm
 

In 1975, two years out of art school, Martin Parr (Epsom, England, 1952) moved to the small Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge to photograph a traditional way of life in decline. Susie Mitchell—who later became his wife—joined him and started writing about the locals, rural communities and a Methodist chapel that Martin photographed over five years. Between them, they put together a remarkable documentary project acclaimed by lovers of Parr’s work and fans of traditional reportage alike.

The title of the show refers to the Methodist and Baptist chapels found throughout this area of Yorkshire and captures the people’s independent spirit. Through his photographs, Parr documents the everyday lives of millworkers, coalminers, mountain farmers and pigeon fanciers.

The exhibition features 75 black-and-white photographs taken in Hebden Bridge, Crimsworth Dean and other West Yorkshire towns between 1975 and 1980. It is on at La Virreina Image Centre until 27 July.

Martin Parr, a key figure in photography, is author of images that present a brilliant satire of contemporary life. He has published near eighty monographs, including Common Sense (2002), Our True Intent Is All for Your Delight (2003) and Life’s a Beach (2013). His artwork forms part of collections all over the world including the el Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) and the Tate Modern of London.