WINNIPEG.- The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq presents 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.

“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