Abraham Anghik Ruben


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Salt Spring Island resident Abraham Anghik Ruben holds the Order of Canada and has award-winning pieces in public and private collections around the world.

Measurements: 32" x 12" x 12"
Materials: Brazilian Soapstone
Year: 2001

“Wrestling with my Demons” would have to be one of his most personal pieces.  Not only does it speak to his inner struggles, it is his strongest statement to date of what the indigenous culture across this country had to endure. 

It is a sculpture that was created in 2001 for his one man show at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. It is in the show catalogue. It was also lent to the Museum of Civilization for a group show in 2006.

Quote from the 2001 Show Catalogue:

"This sculpture is a personal interpretation of my life. It is a mirror of my past, a signpost for the present, a reminder of yet unresolved issues and day-to-day struggles. Past struggles include twenty years of alcoholism and my recovery, and years in the residential school system. These demons still make themselves known, but as time goes by, they have become faint echoes and whispers."

Featured in the following publications:

2011 Grade 10 Native Studies Textbook published by Pearson Canada

2008 From Truth to Reconciliation: Transforming the Legacy of Residential Schools, Aboriginal Healing Foundation

2008 Abraham Anghik Ruben: Myths Stories Legends Kipling Gallery

2005 IAQ 20.4 Inuit Art Quarterly Winter Issue

2001 Catalogue of the exhibition, Abraham Anghik Ruben, organized by The Winnipeg Art Gallery and presented September 16, 2001 - March 3, 2002

Abraham Anghik Ruben's Signature on Soap Stone Sculpture

    • A master Inuit soapstone carving by celebrated Canadian artist Abraham Anghik Ruben. This piece speaks to the horrors of Ruben's experience at a residential school, titled "Wrestling My Demons". Salt Spring Island resident Abraham Anghik Ruben holds the order of Canada and has award-winning pieces in public and private collections around the world.

      Honours/Achievements
      Expo 86 Banners and backdrop for NWT Pavilion performance stage
      Vancouver, Canada 1986
      1990 Northern Myth Northern Legend, National competition for Glaxo/Smith/Kline Canadian Headquarters (16’ limestone sculpture)
      1993 Manulife national sculpture competition for placement at BC Gas Building, Vancouver, Canada
      1992 Holocaust Sculpture Memorial, Holocaust Museum, Israel 

      Ongoing
      2016 Recipient of the Officer of the Order of Canada

    • PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
      •  The Smithsonian’s National- Museum of the American Indian Washington, D.C, USA
      •  The Rockwell Museum Corning, New York, USA
      •  Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia
      •  Museum Cerny Inuit Collection Bern, Switzerland
      •  Art Gallery of Ontario AGO Toronto, Ontario
      •  Canadian Embassy Washington DC, USA
      and more... (Click Here)

      GROUP EXHIBITIONS
      • 2018 Altered Perception, Elevation Gallery, Canmore, BC

    • • Born in Paulatuk, Northwest Territories in 1951
      • University of Alaska 1971-1975
      • Read his bio and CV (Click Here)

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