EDITION 3/ Abraham Anghik Ruben: Nearly 20 Years with Kipling Gallery
5 days ago
4 min read
For nearly two decades, Kipling Gallery has had the privilege of representing renowned Canadian Inuit artist Abraham Anghik Ruben, whose sculptures and paintings explore history, mythology, spirituality and the interconnected stories of cultures across the North and beyond.
Our relationship with Abraham began somewhat unexpectedly.
Abraham Ruben working at his outdoor studio on Salt Spring Island Abraham Ruben's studio on Salt Spring Island
Abraham Ruben working at his outdoor studio on Salt Spring Island
HOW KIPLING GALLERY MET ABRAHAM ANGHIK RUBEN
In 2007, Kipling Gallery founders Rocco Pannese and Lou Ruffolo had a chance meeting with an avid art collector who introduced them to the work of Abraham Anghik Ruben. Captivated by what they saw, they began searching for the artist behind the sculptures.
After some research and more than a few persistent phone calls, they eventually found Abraham living and working on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. At the time, Abraham was understandably wary of two Italian art dealers calling from Toronto.
That first conversation would become the beginning of an extraordinary relationship.
Rocco and Lou had already spent decades working in the contemporary art world, but there was something about Abraham’s work that immediately set it apart. His sculptures possessed not only remarkable technical skill, but an extraordinary depth of storytelling. Drawing upon Inuit history, Northern traditions, mythology and cross-cultural narratives, Abraham had developed an artistic language entirely his own.
THE BEGINNING OF A PARTNERSHIP
During their first year working together, Kipling Gallery commissioned and purchased 50 sculptures by Abraham Ruben for an exhibition at the gallery.
Within two days, every piece had sold.
Abraham was both surprised and delighted by the response. For Kipling Gallery, it confirmed what Rocco and Lou had already recognized: collectors connected deeply with Abraham’s ability to transform stone into powerful narratives about history, humanity and culture.
Soon afterward, Kipling Gallery became the exclusive representative of Abraham Anghik Ruben.
Nearly twenty years later, that relationship remains at the heart of our gallery.
The relationship between Abraham and Kipling Gallery has always extended far beyond the traditional relationship between artist and agent.
It is a friendship built on trust, cooperation, respect and a shared belief in the importance of Abraham’s work.
Over the years, we have watched Abraham continually challenge himself as an artist, exploring ambitious ideas through sculpture, painting and drawing. We are champions of Abraham's work and remain endlessly inspired by his imagination, intellect, discipline and ability to use art as a means of connecting stories across generations and cultures.
Following the passing of Kipling Gallery co-founder Rocco Pannese, his profound belief in Abraham and dedication to his career have remained an important part of the relationship and the commitment we continue to carry forward today.
BRINGING ABRAHAM RUBEN'S ART TO AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
One of the most significant moments in our journey came in 2012, when Kipling Gallery had the opportunity to collaborate with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on an exhibition of Abraham Anghik Ruben’s work.
It was our first museum exhibition with Abraham and an extraordinary milestone for everyone involved.
For us, the exhibition represented more than professional achievement. It demonstrated the ability of Abraham Ruben’s art and storytelling to resonate far beyond the gallery and to engage audiences with histories, ideas and perspectives they may not otherwise encounter.
Since then, Kipling Gallery has had the privilege of organizing and participating in numerous exhibitions of Abraham Anghik Ruben’s sculptures and artwork in museums, galleries and cultural institutions. Helping those works reach new audiences has become one of the most meaningful parts of our history as a gallery and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Abraham’s work to be seen, collected and experienced by audiences in Canada and around the world.
Abraham Ruben at his solo exhibition Moving Forward: Breaking Through Bern, Switzerland 2014 – 2015 Abraham Ruben's solo exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery 2026
TO THE COLLECTORS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ABRAHAM'S WORK
This journey would not have been possible without our collectors.
Over the years, our clients have embraced Abraham's work with an openness and enthusiasm that has meant enormously to both Abraham and Kipling Gallery.
You have not simply collected his sculptures and paintings; you have believed in his vision, his stories and the importance of the history and culture woven throughout his practice. Your continued support has allowed us to champion Abraham, support the creation of ambitious new pieces and introduce his extraordinary artistic vision to new audiences.
For that, we are deeply grateful.
Abraham Ruben with art collectors 
Abraham Ruben with art collectors 
Abraham Ruben with art collectors 
Abraham Ruben with art collectors
Abraham Ruben with art collectors at various exhibitions.
NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AND THE STORY CONTINUES
Nearly twenty years after first discovering the work of Abraham Anghik Ruben, we remain as inspired by his art as we were when we first encountered it.
What started with a chance conversation in 2007 became a friendship, an artistic partnership and an important chapter in the history of Kipling Gallery.
As we look ahead, we are excited to continue that journey with Abraham while also discovering and supporting artists whose unique perspectives and artistic voices inspire us.
For Kipling Gallery, the journey has always been about the artists, the stories they tell and the people who believe in their work.
We look forward to seeing where the next chapter takes us.
