First Arts company logo
First Arts
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Available Artworks
  • Auctions & Exhibitions
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • News & Blog
Menu

Artworks

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s

ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C

Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
stone, antler, ivory and black inlay, 14.25 x 12.75 x 7 in (36.2 x 32.4 x 17.8 cm)
unsigned.

LOT 64
ESTIMATE: $5,000 — $8,000

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN, O.C. (1951-) PAULATUK / SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C, Shaman-Bird Transformation, mid-late 1980s
  • Shaman-Bird Transformation
Born in the Inuvialuit community of Paulatuk, Abraham Anghik Ruben, like his brother David Piqtoukun Ruben, chose to reside in southern Canada where he lives in British Columbia. With numerous...
Read more
Born in the Inuvialuit community of Paulatuk, Abraham Anghik Ruben, like his brother David Piqtoukun Ruben, chose to reside in southern Canada where he lives in British Columbia. With numerous solo public exhibitions, including one at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Anghik is one of the most celebrated of contemporary Inuit sculptors. He uses many different materials for his abstracted yet often quite detailed sculptures, but favours Brazilian soapstone. Shaman-Bird Transformation, a masterful early work by the artist, which is made from that stone and accentuated with antler inlay, depicts a shamanic transformation brilliantly. The human side is almost serene, with the face of a woman above two abstract qulliq-shaped forms that look almost like lungs which give her the breath to chant her song. In contrast, the other side of the sculpture is swirling with energy, the stylized feathers and animated head of the bird carved in strong detail in a brilliant circular composition. There is no “A-side” and “B-side” to this fantastic work; like the best LPs, it needs to be enjoyed in its entirety.
Close full details

Provenance

Private Collection, Toronto.
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email

FIRST ARTS PREMIERS INC.  
 647-286-5012   |    info@firstarts.ca 

 

The main office of First Arts Premiers Inc. is located on the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat, the original owners and custodians of this land.  Today, it is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

 

 

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

JOIN

 

 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 First Arts
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Join

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.