Edward Burtynsky is a renowned Canadian photographer celebrated for his striking large-format images that explore the complex relationship between humans and nature.
Born in 1955 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Burtynsky developed a fascination with industrial landscapes early in his career, influenced by the manufacturing and automotive industries surrounding his hometown.
His work ethos is rooted in meticulous research and a commitment to raising awareness about environmental issues through art.
Known for his signature style that combines sweeping aerial views with intricate detail, Burtynsky captures scenes of industrial activity, resource extraction, and environmental degradation, often juxtaposing their stark beauty with unsettling implications.
His photographs transcend mere documentation, serving as powerful visual commentaries on humanity's impact on the planet and prompting dialogue about sustainability and responsibility.
"When I first started photographing industry it was out of a sense of awe at what we as a species were up to. Our achievements became a source of infinite possibilities. But time goes on, and that flush of wonder began to turn.
The car that I drove cross-country began to represent not only freedom, but also something much more conflicted. I began to think about oil itself: as both the source of energy that makes everything possible, and as a source of dread, for its ongoing endangerment of our habitat.
I wanted to represent one of the most significant features of this century: the automobile. The automobile is the main basis for our modern industrial world, giving us a certain freedom and changing our world dramatically.
The automobile was made possible because of the invention of the internal combustion engine and its utilization of both oil and gasoline. The raw material and the refining process contained both the idea and an interesting visual component for me." – Edward Burtynsky
