Edward Burtynsky
Photo-artist revealing humankind’s impact on the environment
More than 30 years ago, Edward Burtynsky worked in mines and auto manufacturing plants, giving him direct exposure to industry and the world’s growing demand for resources. During that time, Burtynsky began shooting large-format color photographs; images that captured views of the earth altered by mankind; blasted quarries and mines, a landscape plundered and then abandoned.
Burtynsky has explored the impact of our expanding footprint and how it has begun reshaping the surface of the planet in very profound ways. Burtynsky’s images are simultaneously beautiful and deeply shocking. Our judges believe the TED Prize will allow this Toronto-based artist/photographer to bring his work to a broader audience, and help change the way we think about the world and our place in it.
