HOWLING AT THE MOON

Artist: Abraham Anghik Ruben

Medium: Bronze

21" x 28"

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. 

Abraham has clung fiercely to the stories and traditions he was taught as a child and although he studied fine art at university, he has often chosen non-traditional materials and tools to tell us the old tales and legends in a new way. His artistic exploration has led to creating monumental sculptures in bronze for both indoor and outdoor installations. 

Abraham has always been a promoter of other Inuit artists and was instrumental in helping organize the first ever exhibition of circumpolar art from the communities of Arctic Siberia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Sampi, Norway, Sweden and Finland. He was also one of the artists’ exhibiting in the traveling Noah’s Ark presented by the National Gallery of Canada. His work was also exhibited alongside artists such as Pablo Picasso and Edgar Degas and he was featured in the winter 2005 issue of Inuit Art Quarterly.  

Abraham’s art can be found in public, corporate and private collections throughout the world. He currently resides on Salt Spring Island with his wife, Patricia Donnelly and son, Tim. 

Artist’s Statement  
To the Inuit People, the polar bear or Nanuk as he was known to them, was the most feared and respected of all the land and sea animals. The bear was also the most powerful of the Spirit Animals. The power of the shaman was often represented by this animal spirit. Inuit hunters made use of the bear for food and clothing. The bear would provide much needed food in winter and its skin would yield warm fur for clothing such as pants, mitts, etc. With the arrival of the Viking Norse in the far north, the pursuit of the bear was intensified. To the Norse, the polar bear was known as the Water bear. They hunted adults and captured cubs for export to wealthy clients in Europe and beyond.