Edward Burtynsky: The Scarred Earth

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Edward Burtynsky. "Alberta Oil Sands #3 – Fort McMurray, Alberta (detail)," 2007

chromogenic print on photographic paper, Edition: 2/648" x 60" Gift of the Artist. Courtesy of the Surrey Art Gallery.

Edward Burtynsky will attend two exclusive preview viewings of Edward Burtynsky: The Scarred Earth on Friday, June 9.

Edward Burtynsky: The Scarred Earth opens to the public on Saturday, June 10 at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, BC. The exhibition is organized by the Museum’s Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chief Curator, Darrin Martens. “Burtynsky provides us with an intimate look at humanity’s influence on the planet,” explains Martens, “the images are at once profoundly beautiful and deeply troubling. They make us think.” The collection of 32 photographs chronicles the dilemma of energy consumption, resource extraction and humanity’s impact on the natural world. Martens will offer a Curator’s Tour at 1pm on June 10 in conjunction with the public opening.

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The works assembled investigate several distinct, yet inter-related themes - oil, mining and urban life in images taken by Burtynsky over the past four decades. Burtynsky’s large-scale aerial perspectives provide viewers with a catalyst to consider how energy is developed for human consumption and the costs to the ecosystem of the planet.

The Audain Art Museum’s Director, Suzanne E. Greening reflects, “provocative in nature, this exhibition represents our institution’s commitment to inspiring appreciation for the vital role of visual arts in society and the dynamic interaction of art, culture and community.” Burtynsky’s images provide a context in which to contemplate heavy industry across Canada and throughout the world.

Edward Burtynsky (1955 - ) was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. He received a BAA in Photography/Media Studies from Ryerson University in 1982. As an entrepreneur, the artist established Toronto Image Works in 1985 – a darkroom rental facility, custom photo laboratory, digital imaging and new media computer training centre that catered to Toronto’s diverse art community.

Notable exhibitions of Burtynsky’s photographs include Water (2013) at the New Orleans Museum of Art & Contemporary Art Center, Oil (2009) at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and Manufactured Landscapes at the National Gallery of Canada. His artwork is held in trust for the public at over 60 museums worldwide including the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Edward Burtynsky has received numerous awards including: the TED Prize, the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts and has been invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Burtynsky is represented by: Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto; Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary; Art 45, Montreal; Howard Greenberg Gallery and Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York; Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Hong Kong & Singapore; Flowers, London; Galerie Stefan Röpke, Köln; Galerie Springer, Berlin; Rena Bransten Gallery, San Francisco and Von Lintel Gallery, Los Angeles.

The Museum’s third Special Exhibition of 2017 will span the summer months, through to October 16, 2017. We look forward to sharing Burtynsky’s work with Whistler’s local, regional and international visitors and invite you to include the Audain Art Museum in your summer travel plans. For more information, please visit audainartmuseum.com.