Famed Toronto photographer pledges prints for Ukraine donations

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This article was published 26/02/2022 (936 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of Canada’s foremost photographic artists is raising money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine by giving a special print of a famous work to the first 30 people who show him a $10,000 receipt for a donation to the Red Cross’s humanitarian relief for the country.

Toronto’s Edward Burtynsky’s parents came to Canada from Ukraine after being displaced by Nazis there during the Second World War and taken to work camps. His 98-year-old mother worked in Canada for Ukrainian liberation for years.

“She’s literally in tears watching what’s happening,” Burtynsky said, “so, it’s a way to also give her something of hope.”

The federal government has pledged to match donations to the Red Cross up to $10 million, meaning his effort could raise $600,000 to the fund.

He has chosen two of his more sought-after prints in a 30-inch by 40-inch size. He said he’s already had 10 people take him up on the offer as of Sunday night.

“I don’t think it will be a problem to fulfil 30 quickly,” Burtynsky said.

Jeremy Nuttall is a Vancouver-based investigative reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @Nuttallreports