Unfocused thinking

To coincide with his recent exhibition Ynyshir 25 Mile Radius at the Workers Gallery, Buzz's Rhonda Lee Reali had the pleasure of speaking with David Hurn. In the course of their conversation, he took particular pains to talk about money, which in his view is currently "going to the wrong places" within Wales in that it is being used to support neither Welsh photographers nor photography taken in the country.

Hurn did, however, single out Glenn Edwards' biannual Eye Festival in Aberyswyth and its sister event the Northern Eye Festival in Colwyn Bay for particular praise - just another thing to nudge me into heading over to the west coast in October for a line-up that already includes Martin Parr and Vanley Burke.

And what about Hurn's advice for budding documentary photographers? "Take lots and lots and lots of pictures" first and foremost, and by doing so gradually discover your own voice - and certainly don't think of it as "some esoteric art thing that's not for you".

Sadly, I wasn't able to get along to the Workers Gallery for the exhibition, but am eagerly awaiting the event in Hurn's honour being held on 15th February - billed as the last time he'll speak in public.