Born in Canada, Rodney Graham was a key figure in the Vancouver School, a group of artists recognized for their conceptual approach to photography and film. His practice often engaged with the mechanics of perception, frequently utilizing the camera obscura effect to challenge traditional modes of viewing the natural world.

Graham's signature work often involved the manipulation of scale and orientation, most notably in his series of large-format monochrome C-prints depicting inverted trees. His broader body of work spanned photography, film, and video installation, frequently exploring the intersection of scientific documentation, literature, and human observation.

Following his passing, Graham's work continues to be the subject of major international exhibitions. Recent presentations, such as those at Lisson Gallery, highlight his enduring influence through retrospectives of his 1990s photographic series and his complex video installations like Edge of a Wood.