Richard Misrach: Petrochemical America

A poetic documentation of the communities and land around Cancer Alley, an industrial corridor stretching from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, the location of more than a hundred petrochemical refineries.

Color photograph of a still lake containing broken-off tree stumps and surrounded by greenery

Color photograph of a white crucifix with attached figure of Christ rising above smaller graves with power plant buildings in the background

Color photograph of a decrepit trailer home on stilts standing above a shore filled with trash

Color photograph of a water-filled ditch before a wide grassy meadow with a single cow on the horizon

Color photograph of a simple white clapboard church with two low square belltowers

Color photograph of two birds sitting in the branches of a dead tree amid broken off stumps in standing water

Color photograph of a woman peering through a light-filled window in a foyer

Color photograph of a white room with Neo-Classical detailing containing a beige sofa and dark wooden grand piano

Color photograph of a chain-link fence and ajar gate in standing water through a gray-green haze

Color photograph of a large leafy plant running along a water-filled ditch in front of a haze-covered power plant

Color photograph of a person standing on a shore of an industrial waterway with a passing cargo ship and power plant on the horizon

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Richard Misrach: Petrochemical America

Richard MisrachBatture, North of Port Allen, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachHoly Rosary Cemetery and Union Carbide Complex, Taft, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachAbandoned Trailer Home, Mississippi River, near Dow Chemical Plant, Plaquemine, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachHelicopter Returning From Deep Water Horizon Spill, Venice, Louisiana

2010

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachBaptist Church, River Road, St. James, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachCypress Tree, Alligator Bayou

1998

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachTour Guide, Nottoway Plantation, White Castle, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachNottoway Plantation, Interior, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachHazardous Waste Containment Site, Dow Chemical Corporation, Plaquemine, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachRoadside Vegetation and Orion Refining Corporation, Good Hope, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachNight Fishing, near Bonnet Carré Spillway, Louisiana

1998

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Related Portfolios

Framed color photograph of the blue surface of the ocean.

Richard Misrach: On The Beach 2.0

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Richard Misrach: On The Beach 2.0

An ongoing series exploring the abstracted pattern of an edgeless ocean surface, and the gestures and expressions of bathers adrift in the water.

Color photograph of a couple embracing in an expanse of water. — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 11, 2012 12:26 PM) [The Kiss #2] framed, 2012

pigment print, 63-1/2 x 82-7/8 inches (framed) [161.3 x 210.5 cm]

Framed color photograph of a surfer falling in the breaking wave. — Richard Misrach, Icarus Suite #91, 2016

pigment print, 47 x 122 inches (framed) [119.4 x 309.9 cm]

Color photograph of a lone windsurfer on a choppy silver sea — Richard Misrach, Windsurfer, Hawaii, 2008

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of ocean water being reflected by the sun framed in bleached wood frame — Richard Misrach, Untitled (January 29, 2018, 3:13PM), 2018

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 116-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 × 295.9 cm]

Color aerial photograph of water framed in bleached wood — Richard Misrach, Sea #7, 2021

pigment print, 52-1/4 x 77-1/4 inches (framed) [133 x 196 cm]

Color photograph of two people in water doing acrobats taken from above in bleached wooden frame — Richard Misrach, Untitled (Acrobat Super Grid #8), 2012

pigment print, 63-5/8 x 83-5/8 inches (framed) [161.6 x 212.4 cm]

Color photograph of small waves and ripples on the surface of green water — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 18, 2013, 4:00PM), 2013

pigment print, 60-3/4 x 122 inches (framed) [154.3 x 310.0cm]

Color photograph of two men standing in knee-deep water near the shore of a calm sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 10, 2012 5:53PM), 2012

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of two women floating while holding hands on a calm, green ocean surface — Richard Misrach, Untitled (July 26, 2013, 5:21PM), 2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color long-exposure blurred photograph of a sandy beach with rocks, two people, and moving waves — Richard Misrach, Untitled (January 17, 2015 6:36PM)

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of ripples and waves on the dark green surface of a sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (Blackwater 7), 2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Richard MisrachUntitled (July 14, 2016 2:38 PM)

2016

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 100-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 x 255.3 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 11, 2012 12:26 PM) [The Kiss #2] framed

2012

pigment print, 63-1/2 x 82-7/8 inches (framed) [161.3 x 210.5 cm]

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Richard MisrachIcarus Suite #91

2016

pigment print, 47 x 122 inches (framed) [119.4 x 309.9 cm]

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Richard MisrachWindsurfer, Hawaii

2008

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (January 29, 2018, 3:13PM)

2018

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 116-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 × 295.9 cm]

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Richard MisrachSea #7

2021

pigment print, 52-1/4 x 77-1/4 inches (framed) [133 x 196 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (Acrobat Super Grid #8)

2012

pigment print, 63-5/8 x 83-5/8 inches (framed) [161.6 x 212.4 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 18, 2013, 4:00PM)

2013

pigment print, 60-3/4 x 122 inches (framed) [154.3 x 310.0cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 10, 2012 5:53PM)

2012

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (July 26, 2013, 5:21PM)

2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (January 17, 2015 6:36PM)

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (Blackwater 7)

2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Color photograph of a tall metal and concrete fence receding into the misty horizon on the right

Richard Misrach: Border Cantos

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Richard Misrach: Border Cantos

This latest installation in Misrach’s ongoing Desert Cantos series explores the entire length of the US/Mexico border, in photographs made with a large-format camera as well as images captured with an iPhone.

Color photograph of a segment of tall metal fence in the middle of a bare field — Richard Misrach, Wall, Near Los Indios, Texas, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a metal fence running over a landscape of rocky hills and low green bushes into the horizon — Richard Misrach, Wall, Tierra Del Sol, California, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tall metal fence segment ending in a bare dirt patch among low-lying trees and plants — Richard Misrach, Wall, Brownsville, Texas, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a metal fence made of X-shaped crossbars running through a hilly desert landscape — Richard Misrach, Normandy Wall Near Ocotillo, California, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tattered blue flag standing next to a blue barrel marked AGUA in a desert landscape — Richard Misrach, Agua#1, near Calexico, California, 2014

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tall metal fence running into the ocean from the beach, with beach goers visible through the bars — Richard Misrach, Playas de Tijuana #1 (Crowded Beach), San Diego, California, 2013

pigment print, 45 x 161-1/2 inches (framed) [114.3 x 410.2 cm]

Color photograph of scattered red ammunition casings lying on a bare cracked ground — Richard Misrach, Shell Casings #36, near Gulf of Mexico, Texas, 2014

pigment print, 17-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 57.2 cm]

Color photograph of a woman looking through and obscured by a metal lattice and fence posts — Richard Misrach, Veronical, Friendship Circle, San Diego, California, 2013

pigment print, 80-3/4 x 61 inches (framed) [213.5 x 163 cm]

Richard MisrachPost and Wire Mesh Fence, Douglas, Arizona

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Near Los Indios, Texas

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Tierra Del Sol, California

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Brownsville, Texas

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachNormandy Wall Near Ocotillo, California

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachAgua#1, near Calexico, California

2014

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachPlayas de Tijuana #1 (Crowded Beach), San Diego, California

2013

pigment print, 45 x 161-1/2 inches (framed) [114.3 x 410.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachShell Casings #36, near Gulf of Mexico, Texas

2014

pigment print, 17-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 57.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachVeronical, Friendship Circle, San Diego, California

2013

pigment print, 80-3/4 x 61 inches (framed) [213.5 x 163 cm]

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Framed color photograph of the seashore, with people in the water and on the sand

Richard Misrach: On the Beach

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Richard Misrach: On the Beach

Photographed from a distant, raised vantage point, Misrach’s images pose the mote-sized human figure against a looming and abstract pattern of sand and ocean waves, exploring the tension between control and release.

Color aerial photograph of scattered swimmers in a shallow blue-green sea near the shore — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#354-03), 2003

pigment print, 53 x 115-1/2 inches (framed) [135 x 294 cm]

Color photograph of a person floating on their back in shallow blue-green water near the shore — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#892-03), 2003

pigment print, 61 x 123 inches (framed) [154.9 x 312.4 cm]

Color photograph of the surface of a calm blue ocean — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#454-03), 2003

pigment print, 53-1/4 x 120 inches (framed) [135 x 305 cm]

Color aerial photograph of two people curled up on a sandy beach near the waterline — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#591-04), 2004

pigment print, 65-1/4 x 122-1/2 inches (framed) [165.7 x 285.8 cm]

Two color photographs of two people lying on towels on the beach near the waterline of a calm sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#172-04/170-04), 2004

two pigment prints, 48 x 115 inches (framed) [121.9 x 293.3 cm]

Color aerial photograph of beach-goers reclining on blankets on a sandy yellow beach — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#13-02), 2002

pigment print, 53-1/2 x 123-1/2 inches (framed) [136 x 313 cm]

Color photograph of the rippled surface of a dark blue sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#114-03), 2003

pigment print, 51-3/4 x 122-5/8 inches (framed) [131.5 x 311.6 cm]

Richard MisrachUntitled (#354-03)

2003

pigment print, 53 x 115-1/2 inches (framed) [135 x 294 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#892-03)

2003

pigment print, 61 x 123 inches (framed) [154.9 x 312.4 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#454-03)

2003

pigment print, 53-1/4 x 120 inches (framed) [135 x 305 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#591-04)

2004

pigment print, 65-1/4 x 122-1/2 inches (framed) [165.7 x 285.8 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#172-04/170-04)

2004

two pigment prints, 48 x 115 inches (framed) [121.9 x 293.3 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#13-02)

2002

pigment print, 53-1/2 x 123-1/2 inches (framed) [136 x 313 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#114-03)

2003

pigment print, 51-3/4 x 122-5/8 inches (framed) [131.5 x 311.6 cm]

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Color photograph of the distant Golden Gate Bridge under a linear break in the clouds

Richard Misrach: Golden Gate Bridge

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Richard Misrach: Golden Gate Bridge

Photographed over several years from an unchanging vantage point, the series offers a meditation on the light, color, and atmosphere which transcend a fixed and familiar view.