Photographers You Should Know: Edward Burtynsky by Erika Jacobs

The work of Canadian contemporary photographer Edward Burtynsky is instantly recognizable; large, colorful, and richly detailed images of a landscape that explores the link between industry and nature.

The Big Deal: Burtynsky’s large-scale prints show removed views of the landscape altered by industry. Many works focus on the spaces we use to fuel our existence, such as oil fields, mining quarries, and shipyards. His photographs have been exhibited internationally, and can be found in private collections, as well as over fifty major museums around the world, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Life in Brief: Born in St.Catherines, Ontario in 1955. Learns photographic process at age 11 with his father in at-home darkroom. Studies graphic arts at Niagara College, and photography at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. Between 1983 and 1985, Burtynsky produces two series, entitled “Mines” and “Homesteads.” Completes a series of photographs of the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, currently exhibiting.

Trivia Tidbits:

Burtynsky is the founder of Toronto Image Works, a professional photo lab and gallery space in downtown Toronto.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006

Nickel Tailings No. 20, Sudbury, Ontario

Nickel Tailings, No. 36, Sudbury, Ontario

Manufacturing #17, China

Manufacturing #18, China

Oxford Tire Pile #8, California

Three Gorges Dam Project #5, China

For More:
www.edwardburtynsky.com
www.imdb.com

Erika Jacobs is a Toronto-based freelance photographer and the co-creator of the Knock Twice blog, which is where a version of this post originally appeared. It's is an online resource to assist and inform budding creative professionals. You can visit Knock Twice here.