First Major Solo Show at Qaumajuq Features Abraham Anghik Ruben

Press Release

Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 22, 2025: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is proud to present Abraham Anghik Ruben, the first solo show in Qaumajuq’s flagship Qilak gallery, the largest exhibition space dedicated to Inuit art in the world. Opening May 24, 2025, the show brings together over 100 artworks by internationally acclaimed artist, Abraham Anghik Ruben, celebrating 50 years of artistic  production. Abraham Anghik Ruben launches with a free celebration on Friday, May 23 at 7pm and runs through spring 2026.

Guest curated by Inuk artist and arts administrator Heather Campbell with WAG-Qaumajuq’s Darlene Coward Wight, Abraham Anghik Ruben includes sculptures and paintings. Anghik Ruben is one of the most celebrated contemporary artists in Canada. From the Musee du Louvre in Paris to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, Anghik Ruben has been featured in exhibitions around the globe. The master sculptor received the Order of Canada in 2016 for his contribution to the art world, and for preserving his Inuvialuit culture.

By the time of Anghik Ruben’s birth in 1951 in a camp south of Paulatuk, NWT and east of the Mackenzie River Delta, Inuit culture was in the midst of a profound change that would forever alter the traditional way of life and set the stage for the artist’s lifelong quest to re-discover and connect with his roots.

Anghik Ruben’s first solo show in a museum was presented by the WAG in 2001. Now, almost 25 years later, the artist returns, but this time to Qaumajuq. Currently based on Salt Spring Island, BC, Anghik Ruben’s art can be found in many prominent public, corporate, and private collections with more than 30 pieces in the WAG-Qaumajuq collection, including the monumental outdoor sculpture Time to Play that welcomes visitors to Qaumajuq.

Quick Facts:

• WAG-Qaumajuq presents Abraham Anghik Ruben, guest curated by Heather Campbell with WAG-Qaumajuq’s Darlene Coward Wight, opening on May 24, 2025 and running until Spring 2026.
• Abraham Anghik Ruben will be installed in Qilak, the 8,000 square-foot gallery on the third floor of Qaumajuq with skylights that illuminate the art and undulating walls.
• The landmark show highlights 50 years of artistic production from world-renowned Canadian artist Abraham Anghik Ruben, including instantly recognizable sculptures.
• Visitors will also see rarely or never-before-seen works touching on themes pertaining to Nordic Viking culture, climate change, and experimentation with other mediums, such as painting, which he took up during the COVID-19 pandemic. His interest in learning about other cultures and the world at large has resulted in powerful artistic storytelling that resonates internationally.
• In 2016, Anghik Ruben received the Order of Canada for his contribution to the art world and for preserving Inuvialuit culture. His work has been exhibited and collected internationally, with his first solo show in a museum presented by the WAG in 2001.
• The public is invited to join us for a free celebration of the exhibition on May 23 at 7pm with the artist and curator in attendance.
• The extended exhibition run spans an entire school year facilitating rich, curriculum-based lessons and tours for K-12 and post-secondary students.
• ShopWAG will have several of his carvings available for purchase in store and online at shop.wag.ca.

Quotes:

“Abraham Anghik Ruben is a master artist of our time, and we are thrilled to honour him with this landmark exhibition for our city, province, and country. Anghik Ruben is a gifted storyteller, and I can’t wait to see how the public resonates with this incredible collection of images and stories in stone, curated by Heather Campbell with Darlene Coward Wight. We’re grateful to our lead supporter the Richardson Foundation as well as the WAG Foundation, Kipling Gallery, and all the exhibition supporters and lenders for bringing this exhibition to life. And our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the artist and curators.”

— Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, WAG-Qaumajuq

“Abraham Anghik Ruben is one of the most influential and respected Inuit artists of our time, and to be asked to curate this exhibition is a great honour. Thank you to Abraham and the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq for continuing to support Inuit-led curatorial practice.”

— Heather Campbell, Guest Curator

“This exhibition is an opportunity for me to honour the teachings of my parents and other elders who took time to show me a path in this life. The sculptures and paintings are a testament to the powerful myths, stories, and legends of the two principle arctic people, the Inuit and the Norse. They are the people who bring life into my works.”

— Abraham Anghik Ruben, Artist

Support

Abraham Anghik Ruben is made possible thanks to lead supporter, the Richardson Foundation, presenting sponsor the WAG Foundation, and partner the Kipling Gallery. We are also grateful to The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation, The Reading Family, Park Place Limited, Ann and Michael Lesk, an anonymous donor, and all lenders to the show.

Associated Links

Abraham Anghik Ruben
Opening Celebration

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

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