Ruben Komangapik facts for kids
Ruben Komangapik was born in 1976. He is an Inuit artist famous for his sculptures made from different materials. He is also a musician. Ruben plays traditional Inuit drums and sings. He also plays bass guitar in a heavy metal band called Slayvz. He was born in Iqaluit. His home community is Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik). This town is on the north-east coast of Baffin Island (Qikiqtaaluk).
Early Life and Art
In Inuit communities in the North, grandparents often play a big role in raising children. Ruben's grandparents, Joshua and Enuya Komangapik, were very important to him. They taught him Inuit customs and how to live off the land. They also made sure he went to school.
Ruben especially looked up to his grandfather, Joshua. Joshua could make almost anything by hand. He made tools, furniture, and sculptures to sell. Ruben remembers sitting with Joshua as he carved. His grandfather used materials like ivory, whale bone, copper, and silver. Ruben says this is how he became interested in art. He would borrow his grandfather's tools. He started making his own toys, like small sleds called qamutiit. Ruben also learned to carve from his father, Mikiseetee Komangapik. He took classes with Markoosie Akpaliapik in the mid-1980s.
Ruben was also close to his other grandparents, Hermann and Sophie Steltner. They were German scientists. They came to Pond Inlet to study sea ice. They ended up staying for 25 years. Both are buried in Pond Inlet. In 1989, Ruben moved to St. Catharines, Ontario, with them. He went to Ridley College, a private school with many students from around the world.
Becoming an Artist
In 1992, Ruben moved back to Pond Inlet. He lived with his father for a year. Then he joined his mother, Dorothee Komangapik, in Iqaluit. She was teaching at Nunavut Arctic College. Ruben joined the metalwork program there. When his first child was born, he decided to become a serious artist.
He earned a college certificate in 1995. Then he got a diploma in Jewellery and Metalwork in 1997. After college, he taught workshops in different communities. These included Sanikiluaq, Iqaluit, Hall Beach, and Salluit. He then became a self-employed artist. He has created important works of art. One was the travelling mace for the government of Nunavut. He made this with Mathew Nuqingaq. Another was a Qulliq, a traditional seal oil lamp. This lamp was made entirely of silver. The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami asked him to make it. It was given to the Governor General in 1999. This was to celebrate the creation of Nunavut.
Today, Ruben works from his home studio in Caplan, Québec. He sells his sculptures directly to collectors. He also sells them through art galleries.
Ruben has also taught stone carving workshops. He did this at the Great Northern Arts Festival. He wanted to encourage children and teens to carve. In 2015, he spoke at The Walrus Talks. He shared details about the materials he uses. He also talked about his favorite subjects. This was a way for him to share his culture and stories. Ruben has won the Artists Choice Award four times at the Great Northern Arts Festival. In 2016, he worked with Koomuatuk Curley. They created a sculpture for York University. This was part of a project to share Inuit culture.
Art Shows
Ruben Komangapik's art has been shown in many places:
- 2017: Canadian Biennial, National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)
- 2011: Contemporary Reflections, The Guild (Montréal, Québec)
- 2008: Spirit Wrestler: Shaman, Sedna and Spirits, Spirit Wrestler Gallery (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Where to See His Art
You can find Ruben Komangapik's artwork in these important collections:
- National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario
- Canada Council for the Arts Art Bank in Ottawa, Ontario
- Canada House Gallery in Banff, Alberta
