Martin Parr, Humber Street Gallery, Hull City of Culture. 11.11.17

Martin Parr , Humber Street Gallery Hull

The Gallery

Humber Street is adjacent to Hull Marina in what used to be the old fruit market area of Hull.  This whole area has undergone extensive restoration as part of The City of Culture initiative but work was underway before the city was awarded this status.  The area has lost little of its feel of yesteryear but now boasts a range of attractive shops, workshops eateries and galleries.  The Gallery is, to say the least, minimalist inside with concrete floors and walls.  On entry is the small but pleasant cafe bar on the wall of which is Dead Bod

The much-loved graffiti featuring a dead bird was painted on the river side of a corrugated iron shed in the 1960s by a skipper and his chief engineer, quite possibly after more than a few pints in the local.  Dead Bod became a local landmark symbolising Hull's fishing heritage and when the sheds had to be removed a campaign was launched to save it and for the moment, at least, it lives in the gallery.

The Exhibition

Martin Parr has explored the rich culinary tradition of old Hull.

I have grown to love Parr's work and this is typical Martin Parr.  Using his trademark humour and bright colours he portrays the restaurants, cafes and 'chippies' of the old Hull.  It was a delight later when looking for somewhere to eat to pick out his subjects.