Only in England: Photographs by Tony Ray-Jones and Martin Parr
22 March – 29 June 2014
Featuring works drawn from the Tony Ray-Jones archive, and rarely seen early black and white photographs by Martin Parr, this exhibition will explore the relationship between these two important photographers and their fascination with the English.
Between 1966 and 1969 Tony Ray-Jones documented English customs and identity in a remarkable series of photographs. Humorous yet melancholy, these works attracted the attention of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London where they were exhibited in 1969. Tragically, in 1972 Ray-Jones died from Leukaemia aged just 30. However, his short but prolific career had a lasting influence on the development of British photography.
In 1970, Martin Parr, a photography student at Manchester Polytechnic, was introduced to Tony Ray-Jones. Inspired by him, Parr produced The Non-Conformists, shot in black and white in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding Calder Valley. This project started within two years of Ray-Jones death and demonstrates his legacy and influence.
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