Edward Burtynsky: Ecological Footprints
Edward Burtynsky Recycling #10 Chittagong, Bangladesh 2001 © Edward Burtynsky Courtesy Nicholas Metivier Gallery in association with Ryerson University
The Royal Ontario Museum’s Institute for Contemporary Culture is currently playing host to the travelling exhibition of Edward Burtynsky’s Oil project. Twelve years in the making, this suite of 53 large-format photographs (already aptly exhibited in petroleum production hubs like St. John’s and Edmonton) prompts viewers to consider the harsh environmental realities that taint everyday activities like driving to work or turning on a computer. It’s a major series for the Toronto artist, who has long used his lens to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. In convenient conjunction with the ROM exhibition, Burtynsky received the MOCCA Award 2011 on the evening of April 14. The $20,000 prize is awarded every two years to a Canadian in the visual arts whose practice has innovated over time or resonates on a national and international scale.
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Edward Burtynsky (centre) at the MOCCA Award 2011 gala with Gilles Ouellette of BMO Financial Group (left) and David Liss of MOCCA (right) |
MOCCA’s celebration spilled into the subsequent weekend with a two-day exhibition of recent works by the photographer. And even more recent work will be seen starting May 5 at Nicholas Metivier Gallery as Burtynsky debuts works from his new multi-year project on water—eerie photographs of irrigation farming in a semi-desert region of Spain. This spring, Burtynsky is also being celebrated by his alma mater, Ryerson University, with an entire symposium dedicated to the Oil series. This event will bring together speakers including Robert Burley, David Harris, Sarah Milroy and Canadian Art’s own Richard Rhodes. As a ROM headliner, recent national prizewinner and the focus of a major conference, it is certain that Burtynsky will be one of the stars of the fast-approaching CONTACT Photography Festival, which begins May 1 with a focus on the environment. Ultimately, one thing is clear—Burtynsky’s prints are all over Toronto’s art ecosystem this season. (100 Queen’s Park, Toronto ON)
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Edward Burtynsky SOCAR Oil Fields #3 Baku, Azerbaijan 2006 © Edward Burtynsky Courtesy Nicholas Metivier Gallery in association with Ryerson University |
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