Amanda
Breitbach

Oil and Water

2019 - present

These photographs come from an ongoing project examining the Texas Gulf Coast. I have been struck by the dual nature of the Gulf Coast since the first time I saw it. It is an important ecosystem that provides vital habitat for wildlife and simultaneously a site of oil and gas development that is equally vital to the global petrochemical industry.

The Texas Coast is home to thousands of species of birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals. Wildlife refuges and sanctuaries dot the shoreline, inland waters, and wetlands. These areas support coastal species and migrating birds who use the Gulf Coast as a vital resting point on their annual migrations. Attracted by the wildlife and the beauty of the landscape, the coast is a hub for tourism, recreation, and the fishing industry. At the same time, the region is also home to some of North America's largest oil refineries, export terminals, and infrastructure connected to the petrochemical industry.

My photographs emphasize the conflict between these competing interests.