Subhankar Banerjee, American, born 1967
Caribou Tracks on Coal Seams II, 2006
Subhankar Banerjee is a photographer and environmental activist whose work depicts the traditional lifeways and ecology of endangered species and vulnerable populations. His works demonstrate the disruption from climate change and oil prospecting on animal behaviors and native peoples’ traditional, sustainable lifestyles. This photograph and its accompanying caption (a key element of Banerjee’s work) vividly demonstrate how environmentally harmful practices like coal mining disturb and destruct important natural processes like caribou migration. The centuries-long activities of these animals, who are vital to indigenous peoples, are visually upset by the aggressive reds and oranges caused by seam fire. The colorful intrusions indicate imminent environmental doom once the resource is tapped and visually signal danger. Label by Tori Erisman