Diane Burko: Seeing Climate Change

Burko’s scientifically informed abstractions extend the Romantic sublime to the era of climate catastrophe

Painter, photographer and climate activist Diane Burko (born 1945) has long been a prominent advocate for art’s role in addressing climate change. While continuing to engage the traditions of landscape painting, her increasingly abstract and large-scale images are layered with visual and scientific information about the urgent challenges posed to the planet. This volume presents Burko’s large-scale paintings and serial groupings, including her never-before-exhibited, 56-foot-long World Map series, which addresses glacier and coral reef changes across the globe. Also featured are Burko’s videos and Lenticulars, which employ melting and flowing imagery to express the concept of climate change over time. The book features more than 120 color illustrations; a new statement by the artist on the evolving nature of her studio practice; essays by each of the curators, distinguished art historians Mary D. Garrard and Norma Broude; and an essay by the environmental author and activist Bill McKibben.