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ABRAHAM APAKARK ANGHIK (1951 - ) |
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Abraham Apakark Anghik comes from Paulatuk, a community in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Born to parents Bertha and Bill Ruben, he is one of fifteen children. Anghik shares his artistic passion with his brother, noted artist David Ruben Piqtoukun, and both artists have received international recognition for their artistic achievements. “The creative forces that compel us as artists are the result of our Anghik’s early life was spent in a nomadic lifestyle, a background that gave him a permanent link to the Inuit way of life. He also spent eleven years in a residential school where the main goal was to assimilate the children and rid them of their Inuit heritage. While this time resulted in the artist’s loss of his mother tongue, Inuktitut, it also drove him to search for personal identity and history. In the artist’s words: “ I have chosen to be a storyteller for my people… I need to do my part in carrying on the stories, myths and spiritual legacy”*. This personal objective is strongly reflected in Anghik’s work; much of his imagery is based on stories of ritualistic ceremonies that were told by his grandparents and extended family. Abraham Apakark Anghik continued his education through studies at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, taking courses from Ronald Senungetuk, an associate professor of design for the native arts centre. While at the University, he experimented with different artistic styles in sculpture, drawings, prints and jewellery. Today, after thirty years as a sculptor, Anghik works mostly in stone. He is an established and prolific international artist. His work hangs in many important permanent collections across North America and several exhibitions in significant galleries such as, the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Museum of Civilization, and the Winnipeg Art. He resides on Saltspring Island in British Columbia where he has realized his dream of building a house and studio, which he shares with his three children. * References from: |
