
Maureen Gruben (b. 1963, Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada) is an Inuvialuk artist working in multiple media. Gruben employs an intimate materiality as she disassembles and re-combines disparate organic and industrial elements. Polar bear fur, beluga intestines, and seal skins encounter resins, metallic tape, and bubble wrap, forging critical links between life in the Western Arctic and global environmental and cultural concerns. Gruben was born and raised in Tuktoyaktuk where her parents were traditional knowledge keepers and founders of E. Gruben’s Transport. She holds a BFA from the University of Victoria and has exhibited regularly across Canada and internationally. She was longlisted for the 2019 Aesthetica Art Prize and the 2021 Sobey Art Prize, and her work is held in national and private collections. Gruben lives and works in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Maureen Gruben
The Women’s Darkroom
Nakataq (A marker to help in finding something again), 2022
Solo show at The Women’s Darkroom, Brooklyn, USA
Maureen Gruben
We all have to go someday. Do the best you can. Love one another.
We all have to go someday. Do the best you can. Love one another, 2019
Deerhide, embroidery thread, metallic thread, steel grommets and rivets, aluminum frame
Maureen Gruben
Waiting For The Shaman
Waiting For The Shaman, 2017
Bones from polar bear paws, resin
Maureen Gruben
This Is Not A Hudson’s Bay Blanket
This Is Not A Hudson's Bay Blanket, 2015
Moosehide blanket on aluminum plinth
Maureen Gruben
Survival
Survival, 2018
Sealskin, beads, deer hide, ribbon, and metal clasps on canvas
Maureen Gruben
Superseded
Superseded, 2020
Tin claim plates, soldering wire, copper and steel nails, plywood
Maureen Gruben
Stitching My Landscape
Stitching My Landscape, 2017
Archival inkjet print on Epson Hot Press Bright
Edition of 3
Maureen Gruben
Message
Message, 2015
Polar bear guard hairs, cotton thread, black interface
Maureen Gruben
Guardian
Guardian, 2017
Polar bear guard hairs, clear vinyl, ricrac, bias tape
Maureen Gruben
Gestation
Gestation, 2016
Polar bear guard hair, silicone wrap, polar bear underfur, white glue, thread
53 in. diameter
Maureen Gruben
Seal In Our Blood
Seal In Our Blood, 2018
Harp Seal Skin, red velvet, thread
Maureen Gruben
Moving with Joy, The Bentway Skate Trail
Moving with Joy, 2021-2022
The Bentway Skate Trail, Toronto, Canada
Maureen Gruben
Delta Trim
Delta Trim, 2018
Bubble wrap, reflective tape, Velcro, zip ties, moosehide
Maureen Gruben
Breathing Hole
Breathing Hole, 2019
Dricore insulation board, stainless steel pins, and sealskin
Maureen Gruben
Breath
Breath, 2016
Moosehide on canvas
Maureen Gruben
Aidainnaqduanni, Aurora
Aidainnaqduanni, Aurora, 2020
Archival inkjet on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta
Maureen Gruben
Aidainnaqduanni, Morning
Aidainnaqduanni, Morning, 2020
Archival inkjet on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta
Maureen Gruben
Big Hello
Big Hello, 2021
Beaded uppers, cell phone cases
Dimensions variable, 112 pieces
Maureen Gruben
69 25 43.0 N 132 15 49.4 W
69 25 43.0 N 132 15 49.4 W, 2017
White rabbit, blue fox, polar bear fur, birchwood, copper
Maureen Gruben
Moving with joy across the ice while my face turns brown from the sun
Moving with joy across the ice while my face turns brown from the sun, 2019
Archival inkjet on Epson Hot Press Bright
Edition of 3
Maureen Gruben
Stitching My Landscape
Stitching My Landscape, 2017
Video
Edition of 3 + 2AP
Commissioned by Partners In Art for LandMarks2017/Repères2017. Curated by Tania Willard.
M.Gruben0003