Martin Parr: We Are Martin Parr at Seoul Museum of Photography

Illuminating the photographic world of Martin Parr, a pioneering photographer who reshaped contemporary visual culture, Martin Parr: We Are Martin Parr opens at the Seoul Museum of Photography. The landmark exhibition runs from July 16 through October 18, 2026.

Marking the first major retrospective in Asia dedicated to the artist following his passing in 2025, the presentation comprehensively surveys more than 50 years of his artistic practice. The exhibition brings together 14 signature series comprising over 500 photographs alongside an archive of 90 photobooks.

Martin Parr: We Are Martin Parr Visitor Information

• Exhibition Title: Martin Parr: We Are Martin Parr (마틴 파 : We Are Martin Parr)
• Exhibition Period: July 16, 2026 – October 18, 2026
• Venue: Seoul Museum of Photography (Photo SeMA), Exhibition Halls 1–4 and Screening Hall (68 Madeul-ro 13-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul)
• Opening Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Weekends and Public Holidays 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last admission 1 hour before closing)
• Closed Days: Closed every Monday and January 1 (Open on Mondays when a public holiday coincides)
• Admission: Free
• Participating Artist: Martin Parr (1952–2025)

A Magnum Photos Master’s 50-Year Journey and Asia’s First Retrospective

Martin Parr (1952–2025) was a definitive member of the international photographers’ collective Magnum Photos, leaving an indelible imprint on the history of modern documentary photography. This exhibition stands as Asia’s first large-scale retrospective organized in homage to his creative lifetime after his passing in 2025.

Across Exhibition Halls 1, 2, 3, and 4 and the Screening Hall at the Seoul Museum of Photography, the exhibition showcases 14 signature series spanning more than 500 photographs, tracing his expansion from early black-and-white prints into saturated color and contemporary digital photography.

Three Key Highlights to Explore in the Galleries

1. 14 Representative Series and Over 500 Photographs

Viewers can witness the progression of Parr’s five-decade career across 14 definitive photographic bodies of work. The sequence traces shifts in technique and medium, illuminating how his visual vocabulary transitioned from monochrome reportage to brilliant color saturation.

2. Intimate Perspectives and Hyper-Saturated Color in Everyday Life

Capturing modern consumerism, mass tourism, and routine leisure, Parr used extreme close-ups, candid framing, and vivid, exaggerated flash lighting. These photographs offer a sharp, witty, and playfully subversive documentation of ordinary human behavior.

3. Korean Peninsula Works and an Archive of 90 Photobooks

The showcase includes rarely seen photographs created during the artist’s visits to both South Korea and North Korea between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Alongside the prints, visitors can browse an extensive archive of 90 photobooks that Parr conceived, edited, and published throughout his life.

Practical Visitor Advice Before Planning Your Visit

Admission to the exhibition is completely free at the Seoul Museum of Photography in Dobong-gu. The galleries operate until 8:00 PM on weekdays and until 7:00 PM on weekends and public holidays, with entry closing one hour prior to closing time. The museum closes on Mondays and January 1, though it remains open on Mondays if a public holiday falls on that day.

If you are exploring other contemporary art presentations across Seoul, take a look at our guides to Kim Heecheon: Moles and This Is (Not) Conceptual Art.

Official Announcements and Further Details

For full exhibition details and special programs, visit the Seoul Museum of Photography official website.