MARTIN PARR TO JUDGE MARGATE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

MARTIN PARR TO JUDGE MARGATE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

Martin Parr, top international Magnum photographer will decide the overall winner of the ‘This is Margate’ photography competition.

The competition, which is part of the work to get Margate ready for the opening of the Turner Contemporary in spring 2011, will mark the start of developing an official library of photographs of Margate, which will be used to showcase the changes happening in the town.

Martin Parr, famous for his iconic documentary photographs, which take a critical look at modern society and in particular tourism, has agreed to be on the panel of judges and as the guest judge, he will also decide the overall winner of the This is Margate photography competition. The overall winner will receive £500 worth of Shop Local First vouchers and a print of their photograph from Martin at an event on Monday 20 December 2010.

Martin Parr will be joined on the panel of judges by Laura Ford, artist and trustee of Turner Contemporary, the Mayor of Margate, Mick Tomlinson, Lynnette Clark, Marketing manager for Visit Kent and Derek Harding, Programme Director of the Margate Renewal Partnership. Each judge will be asked to shortlist a set of photographs which will then go on display online and in local venues for the public to decide the winners for each age and theme category. Martin, as the guest judge, will declare the overall winner of the competition and present the prize.

Guest judge, Martin Parr, said: “I know Margate a little, but I am excited to see the images the local photographers of all ages will show us about their own hidden Margate.”

Derek Harding, Programme Director of the Margate Renewal Partnership, said: “This is a major coup for Margate to have such a well regarded and internationally respected photographer choosing the overall winner of our competition. We’re looking forward to seeing some really interesting photographs of Margate being entered.”

The ‘This is Margate’ photography competition is open to anyone to enter into one of the following age categories: 1) Young person (up to 16 years old), 2) Student (proof of student status will be required) and 3) Adult (17+). The photos entered must be digital photos taken in 2010 that show Margate in the following six themes:

1. Margate’s heritage, icons and traditions e.g. buildings, personalities, food, seaside entertainment
2. A secret Margate e.g. Margate’s little known places and hidden gems
3. Active Margate e.g. watersports, cycling, walking, fishing and more
4. Natural Margate e.g. nature, coast, wildlife and ecology
5. Creative Margate e.g. what inspires arts and culture in the town
6. My Margate e.g. what’s your Margate?

There is also a separate historical part to the competition and people are encouraged to look through any old photos they may have to see if they can also be entered.

For more information visit www.thisismargate.co.uk, email thisismargate@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577169. The closing date is Friday 26 November. For more information about Martin Parr visit www.martinparr.com