Image Arts Photography alum Edward Burtynsky showcases work at Saatchi Gallery in London
The Creative School's renowned alumnus and Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky displayed his exhibit Extraction / Abstraction at Saatchi Gallery in London, UK. The exhibition, which ran from mid-February to early May, featured 94 of Burtynsky’s large-format photographs as well as 13 high-resolution murals, and an augmented reality (AR) experience.
This exhibition marks the largest exhibition ever mounted in the 40+ year career of Burtynsky, who has dedicated his practice to bearing witness to the impact of human industry on the planet, with themes of environmentalism, sustainability, and nature. The exhibition reveals Burtynsky’s lifelong observation of humanity’s incursion into the natural world and the environmental consequences of industrial processes.
Opening remarks by Edward Burtynsky. Photo courtesy of Tim Anger
Photo courtesy of Tim Anger
“I have spent over 40 years bearing witness to how modern civilization has dramatically transformed our planet,” Burtynsky said. “At this time, the awareness of these issues presented by my large format images has been the largest exhibition of my career at Saatchi Gallery in London, UK and I hope the exhibition experience will continue to provide inflection points for diverse conversations on these issues and move us all to a place of positive action.”
To celebrate the exhibit, The Creative School and Toronto Metropolitan University Alumni Relations co-hosted an exclusive after-hours event at Saatchi Gallery for guests of TMU’s international community, current students on exchange, and academic and industry partners for a guided tour and Q&A with Burtynsky. The Honourable Ralph Goodale (external link) , High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, delivered a welcome address to all those in attendance.
“We are so honoured to be part of this exhibition. Ed's work is remarkable and we are delighted to welcome students, alumni and partners to this event as part of our various initiatives in The Creative School's London international hub,” said Dean Charles Falzon.
Dean Charles Falzon conversing with attendees. Photo courtesy of Tim Anger
The Honourable Ralph Goodale welcoming attendees. Photo courtesy of Tim Anger
Expanding international activities
The Creative School’s UK hub hosts a robust and diverse network of partner universities, industry professionals and local alumni. The London hub allows students to be introduced to the local economic market through transatlantic creative projects with local partner universities both in person and virtually. Additionally, students can access an alumni mentorship group for career advice, job shadowing opportunities and the chance to develop professional connections across the United Kingdom.
Most recently, The Creative School introduced a new transdisciplinary course on creative artificial intelligence (AI). Led by Professor Jonathon Anderson, students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) undertake a two-week immersion in London during the summer, delving into the city's culture, academia, and creative technology industry. The two-week intensive is made up of modules where students use London as a classroom and visit different locations relating to emerging technologies, and explore and reflect on their surroundings independently.
In the course, students use AI to imagine speculative images that are conceptually underpinned by their reflections of creative and emerging technologies in London. The University of Westminster acts as a ‘home’ base for the duration of the course and allows faculty and students to discuss and critique their course evaluation project along the way.
Enhancing scholarly research
In addition to student learning opportunities, the London hub supports scholarly, research, and creative (SRC) activities for faculty and researchers. Last year, the CREATECH ‘23 (external link) international conference at the University of Westminster, co-hosted by Jonathon Anderson, Director of the Design + Technology LAB at The Creative School, and Dr. David Scott, Director of the Fabrication Lab at the University of Westminster, brought together researchers, students, practitioners and industry professionals to showcase innovative projects and share ideas on the creative possibilities unlocked by emerging technologies.
These initiatives, taking place in London, aim to expand The Creative School’s UK hub and aims to cultivate an environment that encourages bold experimentation, taking risks, and pushing boundaries in pursuit of a more innovative and creative future.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.