Inuit shamans were believed to function as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. To move between worlds, shamans might shapeshift into the form of an animal. At other times, an animal helping spirit might inhabit the body of the shaman. Either way, the shaman would assume the traits and abilities of that animal to help complete their spiritual mission or journey. In Shaman Transforming into a Caribou, the double-sided head depicts the shaman on one side, and the caribou on the other. The shaman—adorned with Ruben’s signature tattoo marks, elongated nose, and pursed lips—appears to have closed his eyes, signaling his departure from his human body. However, two large eyes on his forehead suggest, perhaps, the gift of “second sight.” The shaman and caribou share a pair of ears and a set of antlers, illustrating the transformation taking place in real time. Sculpted using Brazilian soapstone, the artist’s favourite carving material, the piece is carved and polished to absolute perfection. David Ruben’s ability to translate elements of traditional spiritual beliefs into unambiguously modern art is unsurpassed.

References: For an early, similarly themed work by the artist see George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1972/92), fig. 908. For other similar works see Darlene Coward Wight, Between Two Worlds: Sculpture by David Rubern Piqtouken, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1996), cat. 24.