Telfair Museums is pleased to announce the opening of Life’s a Beach, photographs by Martin Parr May 15 – August 30, 2015 at the Jepson Center for the Arts. 

“You can read a lot about a country by looking at its beaches; across cultures, the beach is that rare public space in which all absurdities and quirky national behaviors can be found,” said photographer Martin Parr. 

In Life’s a Beach, one of Britain’s most beloved photographers takes viewers on a color-saturated journey through a place loved by all, the seaside. Parr has been photographing this subject for many decades, creating images that range from close-ups of sunbathers to rambunctious swimmers caught mid-plunge. Intrigued by the eccentricities of beach-going, Parr has photographed beaches worldwide. 

“We are delighted to present this fun and engaging exhibition just in time to kick off the summer season,” said Courtney McNeil, Telfair Museums’ curator of fine arts and exhibitions. “By photographing beach-goers around the world, Martin Parr reminds us that our beaches allow people from all walks of life to come together for a temporary respite from the cares of everyday life.” 

For opening night of Life’s a Beach, Zia Sachedina—creator of exotic collections of jewelry and accessories— is presenting an extravagant fashion show of bikini-clad models wearing his most fabulous jewelry. The event, called Art on Tap: Zia at the Beach, is proudly sponsored by 40 Volume Salon & Spa, Halo Talent Savannah, South magazine and Zia Sachedina. Tickets are available at Telfair.org/artontap. 

Martin Parr, born in Epsom, England in 1952, is best known for his beach photography. He is a key figure in the world of photography, recognized as a brilliant satirist of contemporary life. Author of over thirty photography books, including Common Sense, Our True Intent Is All for Your Delight, and Boring Postcards, his photographs have been collected by museums worldwide, including the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and the Tate Modern in London. He was featured in Cruel and Tender, the Tate Modern’s major survey of photography in 2003.