How India-born scientist became arctic photographer

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Subhankar Banerjee

He just wanted to live with polar bears.

Banerjee, who spent 14 months over the course of two years documenting the environment, wildlife and human culture in the refuge, is in Hawai'i this week for a series of free slide-show presentations and talks.

The 36-year-old scientist-turned-photographer was born in Calcutta, India, and earned master's degrees in physics and computer science in the United States. He had been working for Boeing for 10 years in Seattle when a growing interest in the outdoors and a desire to explore his art prodded him to look northward.

"I came from the tropics, and the Arctic had always intrigued me," he said. "I didn't have any other motive (for the project), other than I wanted to live with polar bears."

•	'Saving the Hulahula Arctic Birthlands' A slide show and discussion 7-9 p.m. today, state Capitol 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Kahilu Theatre, Waimea, Big Island 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Komohana Agricultural Complex, Hilo, Big Island 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center, Lihu'e 7-9 p.m. March 4, Kaunoa Senior Center, Sprecklesville, Maui

Along with guide Robert Thompson, an Inupiat Eskimo, Banerjee traveled some 4,000 miles within the refuge, documenting the area and its inhabitants through each change of season in a way that had never been done before. To get a more intimate understanding of the traditional way of life there, Banerjee lived with native Inupiat and Gwitchin families.

"I was extremely privileged to enjoy their hospitality," he said.

Banerjee's amazing work — collected in the book "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land" and in a soon-to-travel series of art exhibits — has taken on a good deal of significance over the last couple of years as the U.S. government and conservation groups have wrangled over proposals to allow oil drilling in the refuge. At one point last year, California Sen. Barbara Boxer took to the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to look at Banerjee's book.

On his 20-city tour, Banerjee is talking at length about his observations and about the concerns raised by proposed drilling.

"It's a very complex and contentious issue," he said. "I just want these talks to be inspirational, and to encourage some kind of discourse."

Reach Michael Tsai at 535-2461 or mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.