Oil

by Edward Burtynsky (Photographer), Michael Mitchell, William Rees

In 1997 I had what I refer to as my oil epiphany. It occurred to me that the vast, human-altered landscapes that I pursued and photographed for over twenty years were only made possible by the discovery of oil and the mechanical advantage of the internal combustion engine. It was then that I began the oil project. Over the next ten years I researched and photographed the largest oil fields I could find. I went on to make images of refineries, freeway interchanges, automobile plants and the scrap industry that results from the recycling of cars. Then I began to look at the culture of oil, the motor culture, where masses of people congregate around vehicles, with vehicle events as the main attraction. These images can be seen as notations by one artist contemplating the world as it is made possible through this vital energy resource and the cumulative effects of industrial evolution."

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2009

About the author

Edward Burtynsky is regarded as one of the world's most accomplished contemporary photographers. His remarkable photographic depictions of global industrial landscapes represent over 40 years of his dedication to bearing witness to the impact of human industry on the planet. Burtynsky's photographs are included in the collections of over 80 major museums around the world, including the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa; the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York; the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid; the Tate Modern in London, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California.

Burtynsky was born in 1955 of Ukrainian heritage in St. Catharines, Ontario. He received his BAA in Photography/Media Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in 1982, and has since received both an Alumni Achievement Award (2004) and an Honorary Doctorate (2007) from his alma mater. He is still actively involved in the university community, and sits on the board of directors for The Image Centre (formerly Ryerson Image Centre).

In 1985, Burtynsky founded Toronto Image Works, a darkroom rental facility, custom photo laboratory, digital imaging, and new media computer-training centre catering to all levels of Toronto's art community.

Early exposure to the General Motors plant and watching ships go by in the Welland Canal in Burtynsky’s hometown helped capture his imagination for the scale of human creation, and to formulate the development of his photographic work. His imagery explores the collective impact we as a species are having on the surface of the planet — an inspection of the human systems we've imposed onto natural landscapes.

Exhibitions include: The Great Acceleration at New York’s International Center of Photography (2025); BURTYNSKY: Extraction/Abstraction which premiered at London’s Saatchi Gallery (February 2024) before touring to M9 in Mestre, Italy; Anthropocene (2018) at the Art Gallery of Ontario and National Gallery of Canada (international touring exhibition); Water (2013) at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Contemporary Art Center in Louisiana (international touring exhibition); Oil (2009) at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. (five-year international touring show), China (toured internationally from 2005 - 2008); Manufactured Landscapes at the National Gallery of Canada (toured from 2003 - 2005); and Breaking Ground produced by the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (toured from 1988 - 1992). Burtynsky's visually compelling works are currently being exhibited in solo and group exhibitions around the globe.

Reviews

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

burtynsky unequivocally stunning attempt at representing scale, and yet also a deep failure at understanding that context and history is necessary for that sublimity to produce any critical sensibility. still glad it exists.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book of "beautiful" photographs, but they are moving and artistic, while also being sobering and thought-provoking. For anyone who has never taken more than a cursory look at the oil and gas industry, this is a shocking set of photographs. The sheer immensity of the oil fields and refineries boggles the mind. Add to that the associated auto industry and its spinoffs, and it is hard not to fear the impact we are having on the planet. The accompanying essays add data and analysis that should further sober anyone who is not already fully aware of the environmental impact we are having on the earth as a result of our love affair with oil.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Burtynsky could choose to hit viewers over the head with a message, but he steadfastly avoids that. Instead, we are treated to image after image of 'industrial sublime' showing in stunning detail the impact of human industry and consumption on the planet. The pictures are at once beautiful and repellent, as we move beyond the large-format quality, aerial perspective and regular geometry to take it all in -- a portrait of waste and destruction on an obscene scale.

The essays at the end of the book are also careful and thought-provoking, lending a serious underpinning to the whole work.

This is a wonderful, terrible book.

[Alecia Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just saw his exhibit at the Nature museum in Ottawa, Canada and it was AMAZING! The book is just as amazing but goes into detail about most photographs, why it is significant and the beauty of every picture. The photography is amazing, it is almost like you are there seeing it. LOVE IT!

[Canard Frère]

Saisissant et instructif à la fois, au travers de clichés très graphiques le photographe a su saisir le côté land art de notre civilisation pétrolière.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book. I was lucky enough to see Burtynsky speak at Weber State in September 2011. A fascinating guy who has really made a difference through his incredible photographs.