Cardiff’s first ever gallery devoted to photography receives a major gift from David Hurn’s private collection of images
Swaps: Photographs from the David Hurn Collection
An exhibition featuring photographs from one of Britain’s most influential documentary photographers, marks Amgueddfa Cymru’s (National Museum Wales) first gallery dedicated to photography.
National Museum Cardiff (NMC) is celebrating a major gift of images from David Hurn’s private collection. Swaps: Photographs from the David Hurn collection will run from 30 September 2017 until 11 March 2018.
Swaps presents a selection of photographs which David swapped with other photographers. They span the past six decades during his career as a documentary photographer and member of Magnum photos.
Director general of National Museum Wales, David Anderson, said there was no better way to launch their first ever gallery dedicated to photography than with this unique collection.
He expressed his gratitude to Hurn for this generous gift which he says will drive this important and much needed photography programme for Amgueddfa Cymru.
“This exceptional donation will raise the profile of Amgueddfa Cymru as an important centre for photography in the UK,” he added.
Approximately 700 photographs by leading 20th and 21st century photographers are being displayed. These include Henri Cartier-Bresson, Sergio Larrain, Bruce Davidson and Martin Parr.
USA. Florida Keys. 1968. © Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos
Work from emerging photographers is also featured such as Clémentine Schneidermann and Newsha Tavakolian.
David Hurn, who lives and works in Wales, has also donated an estimated 1,500 of his own photographs.
Brian Carroll, co-founder of the Welsh photographic network Ffoton, said that the collection is extraordinary.
“It’s one of only two Wales photography-related events in modern history … that have raised the status of Wales,” he added, “particularly in documentary photography.”
On 2 November NMC is hosting The Museum in Focus – behind the scenes. The photography themed day will explore how imaging and photography are vital skills for museum curators.