Edward Burtynsky (Canadian, b. 1955)
Known for his large-format photographs of nature that has been impacted by industrial development. Often taken from an aerial perspective, Burtynsky’s images often take on an abstract quality. According to the artist, he sets his course to focus on the intersection of contemporary man and the great ages of industry, ie: stone, minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. He writes “To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis. These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire – a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.”
Burtynsky’s works are in the permanent collections of over 50 museums worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Guggenheim Museum, New York; Tate Modern, London, UK; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain; the National Gallery of Canada, and many others.
