'Polar Obsession' Opening Reception

The Brower Center is excited to present Polar Obsession, the first National Geographic show in the Bay Area since 2009. This exhibition will feature nearly 40 striking images of the world’s polar regions from photographer Paul Nicklen, delivering a unique close-up of wildlife in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Nicklen grew up in a small Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. From an early age he learned how to survive in the frozen terrain and developed a passion for the wildlife around him. Today his expeditions take him to the ends of the Earth in pursuit of rare, close-up photographs of polar species, their intriguing ways and their environs. Nicklen uses photography to dispel myths, reveal rarely seen behaviors and intensify the world’s interest in the entire polar ecosystem.

Paul Nicklen’s personal mission, "to ignite conversation about the future of our planet's natural wonders," aligns perfectly with the mission of the Brower Center's Hazel Wolf Gallery and its art of advocacy theme. David Brower believed that if you could show people the remarkable beauty of wild places they would be motivated to save them - even if they'd never physically been there. Nicklen's work, which uses evocative imagery of the polar regions to inspire people to action, continues in this important tradition.

Polar Obsession is organized and traveled by National Geographic. The exhibition is on view February 16 â€" July 21, 2017.

Join us for the free public opening and enjoy a glass of wine while hearing from Margaret Torn, the Program Head of Climate and Carbon Sciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.