MASTERS OF INDIGENOUS ART – SCULPTURE

Abraham Anghik Ruben was born in Paulatuk, Northwest Territories in 1951 and has become a major innovative force among Inuit sculptors. Abraham has always thought of himself as part of the world of contemporary sculptors and has had to break down many of the subtle barriers that constrain the Inuit artist. He has proven that an Inuit can root himself in the south without losing his cultural Identity. Abraham has been exhibiting his work since 1973.

Inukpuk began carving in the early 1950s, after James Houston’s first visit to Inukjuak. His work was part of a collection of Inuit art that was purchased by the TD Bank Financial Group in 1951. Hunter, measuring 49.5 x 36.8 x 21.5 cm, was part of that collection and it possibly represents the first large figure produced by Canadian Inuit at that time. Inukpuk gained attention in 1953, when his work was shown in  “The Coronation Exhibition”, an exhibition held at Gimpel Fils in London, England. In 1978, he was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Artists.