Artis Rohini Devasher calls it serendipity. A couple of years ago, the New Delhi-based artist was chosen for The Owner's Cabin. An artist residency, the program invites artists to travel on a merchant ship. For the 39-year-old artist, the invitation to journey the high seas came as the perfect opportunity to further her interests in science and the natural world. Devasher waited, deferring the prospect till this year. On May 26, she embarked on High Trust, an oil tanker that travelled across the South Pacific, touching three countries on its way.

"While a few people choose these days to travel by cargo ship, it's still pretty uncommon, and, an oil tanker is impossible!" says Devasher. High Trust left Suva, the capital city of the island nation of Fiji, stopping at two ports in Samoa and American Samoa, and ending at Singapore on June 20. As an invitee, Devasher had the chance to choose her journey — the time, the ship, the route — and The Owner's Cabin would let her know what's available.