Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 6, 2006
• Invested on: February 09, 2007

Edward Burtynsky is a unique and important artist of our times. A talented and internationally recognized photographer, he has trained his lens on such subjects as open mine sites, quarries, scrapyards and oil refineries. His images are arresting and thought-provoking, demonstrating his ability to find aesthetic beauty in the unlikeliest of places. He has also been a strong supporter of his local photographic community and founded Toronto Image Works to provide studios, exhibition space and educational workshops. In documenting the impact of industrial development on the environment, he is making an important contribution to the global dialogue on sustainability.