A two-decade love affair with Arizona, in photos

A new book dedicated to David Hurn’s two-decade love affair with Arizona is being published this month. The publication, titled Arizona Trips, contains images of the legendary photographer’s numerous trips to the state; capturing everything from cheerleaders, wild horse wrangling, and Dolly Parton look-alike competitions.

Hurn, who is originally from Wales, came to the US after winning the Bicentennial Fellowship in 1979 – a one-year award for photographers who want to shoot the country. After being asked to choose a state, he opted for Arizona. “It was the most right-wing state in America and Wales at that time was probably the most left-wing part of the UK,” he remembers. “Also, it’s the driest state in America and Wales is the wettest. So it seemed to me it was such an extraordinary contrast.”

The Magnum photographer ended up returning to Arizona repeatedly between 1979 and 2001, turning his lens to ordinary people in ordinary pursuits.

“Life as it unfolds in front of the camera is full of so much complexity, wonder and surprise that I find it unnecessary to create new realities,” adds Hurn. “There is more pleasure, for me, in things as they are.”

Arizona Trips is being released to tie in with Magnum’s 70th birthday this year. An accompanying exhibition of his work is also on display at the National Museum Cardiff until March 11 2018.

Tempe. David HURN in the Botanical gardens, photographer by his friend Bill JAY. 1980. 2017. Courtesy Magnum Photos

The round-up of the last wild horses in the desert of Arizona. 1980. Courtesy Magnum Photos

Kennilworth Elementary school in Phoenix where the students get into the spirit of Halloween celebrations with the help of a dressed up teacher. 1979. Courtesy Magnum Photos

On the road from California to Arizona via Joshua Tree Forest. 1979. Courtesy Magnum Photos

Phoenix. Preemie Baby unit at St Joseph’s Hospital. She has a head too large by half for her body. With little to flesh them out, her features are skull-tight and wizaned. Her arms and legs are no thicker than her mothers fingers. Her ears have no cartilage. Not long ago she would have been a miscarried fetus, not a baby. To-day she is a Preemie baby, although barely 2lb, destined to survive to be a normal child. 1980.Courtesy Magnum Photos

Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the USA. Posters abound promoting the fact that it is a great place to live. 1979.Courtesy Magnum Photos

Winter cactus garden. Paper cups to protect against night frosts. 1992.Courtesy Magnum Photos