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New Abraham Anghik Ruben exhibit at WAG–Qaumajuq explores Inuit and Norse mythology and daily life through sculpture and painting.
A sweeping new exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq offers an extraordinary look at the work of Abraham Anghik Ruben, one of Canada’s most distinctive artistic voices. Opening May 24, the exhibit showcases approximately 100 pieces that weave together Inuit cultural traditions and Norse mythology through monumental sculpture, intricate carvings, and—for the first time—vivid abstract paintings.
Curated by Heather Campbell, the exhibition highlights Ruben’s bold, boundary-pushing approach to materials and storytelling.
“He’s fearless when it comes to his materials and to the themes in his work,” said Campbell. “If he’s interested in something that isn’t in any way Inuit-related, he’s not afraid to explore that—and I think that’s a bit rare probably in the Inuit art world.”
Ruben’s sculptures span a wide range of media, including soapstone, whale bone vertebrae, narwhal tusk ivory, and bronze. His work draws heavily on his early life experiences—his family hunted and fished off the land in the Western Arctic—and combines those memories with mythological figures and stories from both Inuit and Viking traditions.
“His subject matter can be very broad,” Campbell said. “So I approached the exhibition through beings and ideas that are loosely common in both cultures. Each section mixes Inuit and Viking elements.”
The result is an immersive and thought-provoking gallery experience that invites visitors to explore overlapping cultural landscapes shaped by the North.
A highlight of the show is the debut of Ruben’s paintings, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic when he decided to try something new.
“They’re very colourful and based on colours he observed in medieval texts,” said Campbell. “Very abstract, which is interesting when you consider a lot of his sculptures are very realistic. It’s an interesting contrast.”
Many of the works come from the WAG’s own extensive collection—Winnipeggers may already know Ruben’s towering limestone bear and cubs sculpture outside the Qaumajuq building. Additional pieces were loaned from the Kipling Gallery, private collectors, and the Richardson collection.
Campbell collaborated closely with WAG’s long-time Inuit art curator Darlene Coward Wight, the team at Kipling Gallery, and Ruben himself to select the final works. “He already had everything kind of planned out in his own mind,” she said. “It was just me sort of coming in and saying, okay, that’s great—but as someone who’s on the outside a bit, there are things I still wanted to learn about.”
One piece that particularly stood out to Campbell is a large whale bone sculpture rooted in Inuvialuit culture—Ruben’s heritage from the Western Arctic. “It’s important to him personally, and it’s important to a region of Inuit Nunangat that isn’t as prevalent in the art world,” she said.
Beyond the art itself, visitors can expect personal stories from Ruben woven throughout the exhibit labels, adding depth to his already evocative work. A walk-through with the artist is also planned for opening night.
“I hope—I know—everyone will love the artwork and will love meeting Abraham and hearing his stories,” said Campbell. “It’ll be an amazing learning experience for me as well, and I think for everyone that comes through.”
The Abraham Anghik Ruben exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, May 24 at WAG–Qaumajuq. The exhibition offers a rare chance to experience Ruben’s powerful storytelling and masterful craftsmanship up close. Whether you’re drawn to myth, material, or the magnetic pull of the North, this is an exhibition not to be missed.