Wales in pictures: world-class photography in Cardiff

A specially curated exhibition of Martin Parr’s images of Wales is among the top photography shows taking place this autumn in Cardiff.

For over 40 years, photographer Martin Parr has been documenting British culture through the lens. With a unique eye for the quirkier side of life, Parr has captured everything from holiday makers in New Brighton to a jubilee street party in West Yorkshire.

As a frequent visitor to Wales, the Bristol-based photographer has snapped his way around the country’s main tourist spots, including the summit of Snowdon, as well as visiting a colliery near Aberdare, the oldest continuously working deep mine in the UK until its closure in 2008.

The exhibition at National Museum Cardiff brings together, for the first time, a selection of Parr’s work in Wales from the mid-1970s to 2018. His photographs – many of which have never been exhibited before – explore different aspects of Welsh life and culture, from male voice choirs and national sports to food, festivals and the seaside.

The National Museum Cardiff will also be showing two further exhibitions by photography heavyweights August Sander, and Bernd and Hilla Becher.

Sander captured German culture during the Weimar Republic, while the Bechers – two of the world’s most influential photographers – documented industrial buildings with breath-taking precision.

Martin Parr in Wales (26 October 2019 – 4 May 2020), ARTIST ROOMS: August Sander (26 October 2019 – 1 March 2020) and Bernd and Hilla Becher: Industrial Visions (26 October 2019 – 1 March 2020) are at National Museum Cardiff.