This document provides guidance for students on researching an artist for a school project. It recommends choosing an artist related to your project's theme and providing contextual information to support your analysis. The document includes examples of artist research pages on Martin Parr, a photographer known for images of everyday life. It prompts close analysis of Parr's photos of food, including compositional elements. Students are encouraged to respond creatively to the artist's work and provide background on the artist to deepen their understanding.

1. Artist research pages
This work is an important part of your project;
high quality contextual research enables you to
pick up marks in AO1
and
supports your development in the other
assessment objectives

2. Choose an artist related to your
own project (similar theme) &
introduce Martin Parr is a photographer who has produced work on
the theme of food. He also photographs people and
places. I am interested in his work food photography as it
relates to my own project.
Martin Parr, Common Sense (cup of tea), Photograph, 1995
Martin Parr was born in Surrey in 1952 and he is still
working as a photographer today. He is interested in
people’s everyday lives and often takes photos of
people going about their usual business – like
eating food or going on holiday. He also takes
photos focusing on the objects in people’s homes.
I have chosen these photographs by Marin Parr to compare
because the subject is similar. Both are close-up shots of
everyday food or drink. In the background of each, Parr
uses a pattern to contrast with main subject, though with
the cup of tea the pattern is more plain and regular. The
cup of tea seems very British because of the cup and
saucer, but the doughnut has Japanese writing on the
paper so it hints at another culture.Martin Parr, Tokyo, Japan, 1998

3. Martin Parr, Last Resort,
photographs, 1985
Include close analysis of at least 1
imageStart by asking
yourself key questions
– write your initial
thoughts in rough then
write up later...
•What is eye catching
about this image?
•Does the image
remind you of your
own experiences?
•How could you
describe the mood?
•What do you think the
artist wants us to think
about the image?
Why?
There are compositional tools which artists use to
create a particular impression with their work.
Consider how the artist has used these: colour,
pattern, texture, shape, repetition, light, tone, line
For instance:
Are there patterns or shapes which have
been repeated? Does the artist show
textures? What is the effect?

4. Martin Parr, Last Resort,
photographs, 1985
Close analysis of an image
The shiny surface of the counter
reflects the light and looks greasy
There are many repeated
heads, making the photograph
look busy and crowded
You can see lots of different
expressions of the customers –
none of them seem aware that
the photo is being taken
All the faces fit into a narrow
section of the photograph
and the rest of the picture is
quite plain so the viewer
focuses on the people
There are people of all
different ages here, like a cross
section of society, but all of
them seem to be white
The photograph is taken from the
perspective of the person behind
the counter – so we feel almost
like we are in the picture – is this
woman looking at us?
The main colours you see are
variations on skin tones so the
photo has a kind of fleshy, sunburn
and holiday atmosphere

5. Martin Parr, Last Resort,
photographs, 1985
Close analysis of an imageRemember: you
are not being
graded on your
spelling, but
getting it right
shows attention
to detail
Try and use
appropriate
vocabulary
for key ideas
and
techniques.
Do not use
these words
(unless you
really need
to!):
*Unique
*Bold
*Random
You can use
internet research
to help you but
always put this
into your own
words or quote
and note the
source
However you
present them,
always make
sure your
notes are
legible!
Short notes
or bullet
points are
often better

6. Wayne Thiebaud, Confection,
painting, 1962
Comparison with another artist
Martin Parr, GB. England. North Yorkshire.
Scarborough. From British Food. 1995.
Confection:
• Painting
• Side view
• Laid out in side view
• Ice creams look almost
like sculptures
British food:
• Photograph
• Taken from above
• Some parts out of focus
• Does not look very
appetising
• Subject
matter is the
same
• Interest in
shadows
• Plain
background
Add your own
opinions and
explain how this
could develop
your own work…

7. Your own response to their
work
Martin Parr, GB. England. From 'British
Food'. 1995
Create your own artwork in
response to what you have learnt
about the artist.
For instance, for Martin Parr you
could…
• Photograph your dinner every
day for a week
• Produce a set of photographs
of your plate throughout a
meal (starting with a full plate
and ending with an empty one)
• Show how you can enhance
the colour working in
Photoshop to create more
saturated images

8. • Parr was influenced by
his grandfather who
was an amateur
photographer.
• Growing up in Surrey
(England), he decided
he wanted to become
a photographer aged
14.
• He often uses close-up
compositions which
rely on using a macro
lens on his camera.
About the artist
Parr in 2014
Include a picture of the artist if you want, but it is not
necessary
Focus on relevant
information which will
enhance your understanding
of the work
Consider the technical
aspects of how images are
createdDescribe characteristics of
the artist’s work

9. Historical context
(include dates)
The fundamental
thing I'm
exploring
constantly is the
difference
between the
mythology of the
place and the
reality of it
Martin Parr
Look for relevant quotes by the artist to include
Include
information on
the historical
context where
relevant

10. Your turn now…
Remember; this is guidance not
hard and fast rules – most
important is that you express
your own thoughts and ideas
and show your analysis skills