The Martin Parr Foundation is presenting 'Proximity,' a retrospective exhibition showcasing the work of photographer Steven McCoy, who has been documenting the residents and landscapes of Merseyside for nearly 50 years. The comprehensive exhibition brings together photographs from McCoy's diverse projects, spanning from the housing estates of Ainsdale to the neighborhoods of Skelmersdale, Liverpool's demolition sites, intimate domestic spaces in homes and gardens, and even archaeological information gleaned from the contents of his vacuum cleaner bag.

"Over the years, I have learned that some of the most beautiful, poignant, and powerful works are created directly in the photographer's neighborhood. Steve's work is no exception, and the exhibition title 'Proximity' is a key principle of his work," said Martin Parr, whose foundation is hosting the exhibition. Parr noted that their paths briefly crossed in 1978 when he was teaching at Manchester Polytechnic and McCoy was a student. "A few years later, I discovered his 'Housing Estates' work at the Impressions gallery, and he visited me in 1983 and 1986 when I was living in New Brighton. He has been working quietly and tirelessly for decades, but his work has remained largely unknown. It is therefore an immense pleasure to be able to exhibit it at the Foundation."

Among the earliest works featured in the exhibition is the "Housing Estates" series (1979-1983), which documents the residential development created during the construction of large housing complexes in the village of Ainsdale. The initial black and white photographs, characterized by high contrast, emphasized angular and repetitive constructions while playing with shadow and light. The series evolved into a color typology of structurally identical bungalows, photographed under uniform, flat lighting to highlight personalization by residents through different colored shutters and landscaping choices.

During this early period, McCoy simultaneously photographed industrial and residential demolition sites in Liverpool and Preston. In some cases, these landscapes existed only briefly before redevelopment, while others remained unused for many years. Similarly focused on changing landscapes, McCoy's most extensive series featured in the exhibition, "River to River" (1985-1990), follows the coastline from the Mersey in the south to the Ribble in the north.

McCoy continues to work on local landscapes, and in "The Rimrose Valley" (2016-present), he focuses on the nature park—a former municipal landfill and pig farm later threatened by a dual carriageway—and its growing importance for wildlife and recreation. In 1983, McCoy served as photographer in residence at Skelmersdale, tasked with photographing residents and the landscape of the new town that housed surplus populations from northern Merseyside. Skelmersdale suffered from economic decline in the 1970s, and McCoy's photographs show residents going about their daily activities against the backdrop of neglected urban infrastructure.

McCoy's work has often focused on family and domestic life. For the conceptual series "Archaeology of a Carpet" (2003), he photographed the transparent cylinder of his vacuum cleaner as archaeological evidence of domestic activities. In "Personal Space" (1980-1984), he captured families engaged in daily life at home and in gardens. Often closely framed and shot from unusual angles, these images offer a humorous and affectionate look at the peculiarities of family life.

His ongoing series, "Every House My Mother Has Lived In" (2019-present), traces his own family's journey through nine houses and apartments, each location imbued with memories and experiences. This series will be presented in a display case alongside a film about his mother. Steven McCoy is a British photographer living and working in Merseyside who has worked as a lecturer and freelance photographer, taking commissions for a wide range of clients while working on long-term personal projects. In 1997, he began collaborating with photographer Stephanie Wynne, and their latest project, "Are You Living Comfortably?", is exhibited at the University of Salford's art collection.

McCoy's work has been widely exhibited, including in the group exhibition "Home Sweet Home" at the Rencontres d'Arles (2019) and at the Institute for Photography in Lille. This exhibition, originally organized by Liverpool's Open Eye Gallery, was curated by Max Gorbatskyi and is being presented from November 2024 to January 2025. The Martin Parr Foundation will host special events including a Proximity exhibition evening on October 10, 2025, and an artist talk with Steve McCoy on November 3, 2025. The exhibition runs from October 2 through December 21, 2025, at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol, with gallery hours Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Monday through Wednesday by appointment. Admission to exhibitions is free.