Rhae Henhawk was born in Cambridge Ontario 1960, of Mohawk/Seneca descent
from the Six Nations on her father’s side and Dutch/English on her mothers side.
Rhae developed an intense interest in the beauty and simplicity of nature at a
young age. Her father had a strong influence on Rhae’s strong artistic appreciation
because of his talent for painting. Even at 10 Rhae’s ambition to attend art school
led her to secretly enter an art contest for a school scholarship.
From 1982-1991 Rhae and her son lived in New York and New Jersey employed
with corporations in advertising, sales and marketing while still experimenting
with drawing and some watercolor painting.
January 1994 Rhae took a crucial step towards her dream, by apprenticing with Inuit Sculptor
“Manasie Akpaliapik” from Artic Bay at his Tuluguk Studio in Toronto. While absorbing every
observed technique from filing, sanding and polishing Manasie's stone and whalebone sculptures
soon discovering a unity between herself and the various natural materials. Rhae quickly learned to
fashion alabaster, limestone, soapstone, walrus tusk, mastodon ivory, caribou/deer antler and
whalebone. She continued with her artistic goals by working and gaining valuable knowledge with
the NorthWest Company from 1994-1998 as an independent contractor for the repair and restoration
of client and in-house Inuit sculptures.
From 2001-2002 Rhae attended the “Toronto School of Art” full-time with an emphasis on clay
sculpture, life drawing and anatomy. Despite the very physically demanding nature of her medium,
she remains steadfast and true to the integrity of her work and goals. Her designs adorn many homes
and businesses in North America and Australia. She has a very promising career in the field of
contemporary Art. Rhae is a long time member of “CARFAC” protection of artists copyrights, a
member of “Ontario Arts Council” and a new member of the “Peterborough Arts Umbrella”.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Studio/Workshop Westwood, Ontario Spring 2008-Present
Ethel Curry Gallery, Haliburton, Ontario June 2006-March 2007
Gallery Group Exhibition
National Ballet of Canada, Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, Ontario February 2006
One week Group Exhibition
Bob Phillips, Toronto, Ontario February 2006
Radio interview with Native Correspondent Bob Phillips at the Hummingbird Centre.
Gary Farmer Gallery of Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico July 2006-May 2007
Gallery Group Exhibition
Haliburton County Studio Tour, Minden, Ontario October 2006
Medicine Art Studio included in the two week Haliburton County Studio Tour
Medicine Art Studio, Minden, Ontario September 2004-July 2005
Studio planning, development and renovations, doors open to public July 2005
Lee Valley Tools Ltd. Toronto, Ontario April 21 & 22, 2006
Teaching a 2 day (12 Person) workshop, carving Rhae's original “Prosperity Fish” in soapstone at the
Toronto East location.
The Castle Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario June 2005
Duke Redbird’s Gallery Exhibit
XEXE Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
One of 12 local artists at the gallery opening, group exhibition
The Gathering Place Art Gallery, Rama Casino, Orillia, Ontario November 2004
Group Exhibition
Magic Door Art Gallery, Sunderland, Ontario October 2003
Group Exhibition
New Fish Theme in Progress June 2003
Whetung Art Gallery, Curve Lake, Ontario May 2003
Group Exhibition
GreenRock Investments, Toronto, Ontario May 2003
Commissioned alabaster original sculpture Entitled - David's Dream Dimensions - 23" high by 20.5"
long by 9" deep
Antony’s Gallery, Whitby, Ontario
Art Exhibit
Veni Vedi Art Gallery, Port Perry, Ontario August 2002
Group Exhibiton
Toronto School of Art, Toronto, Ontario 2001-2002
Attended full-time, with a daily curriculum including an emphasis on clay sculpture, clay portraits,
life drawing and anatomy.
December Opening Student Exhibition (City TV) Toronto, Ontario December 2001
Rhae was labeled by City TV interviewer as “One of the best emerging artist’s” for her clay portrait
entitled “Wisdom of the Ancient Ones”.
National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Gala, Vancouver, BC April 2000
Rhae’s original creation fashioned in white Italian alabaster entitled “Building Blocks of the Mind”
was duplicated to a massive 35' foot by 70' foot live stage sculpture showcasing for the year 2000 and
became the main focal point. The show was sponsored by CBC Television Network, which aired
internationally and in the United Kingdom, becoming their most effective and elaborate stage set to
date. Also airing in Australia in 2008.
Beckett Fine Arts, Toronto, Ontario June 1999
Group exhibition and gallery representation
Colored Stone Restaurant, Toronto, Ontario 1998
Group art exhibition and televised City TV interview with native correspondent Duke Redbird.
Gallery Indigena, Stratford, Ontario 1998-1999
Exhibition of stone and ivory original sculptures. In addition, contractor for in-house Inuit sculpture
repair and restoration.
Native Art Gallery, Oakville, Ontario 1997-1998
Solo sculpture exhibition and carving demonstration
International Bankers Convention, Centre Island, Toronto, Ontario August 1997
Display of NorthWest Company's Inuit sculptures. Rhae carved solo with onsite sculpting
demonstration of the “Two Healers” original, in Indiana limestone. Organized by the “Guild Shop”
Toronto, and the NorthWest Company.
Institute of the American Indian Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA 1995
Aided in the promotion of the “Keeping Our Stories Alive” exhibition, consisting of live carving
demonstrations for 5 days, and gallery open house assisting guest Inuit carver Manasie Akpaliapik
with carving demonstrations and sculpture filing, sanding and finishing. In addition, aided Manasie
with the construction of a 14 foot permanent stone Inukshuk for the museum courtyard.
National Gallery of Canada, Hull, Quebec 1995
Assisted Inuit sculptor Manasie Akpaliapik with a two day carving demonstration, including slide
presentation and hands on serpentine stone carving instruction to a pre-booked class of 60 students.
Organized by the NorthWest Company.
Independent Contractor, NorthWest Company, Rexdale, Ontario 1994-1998
Was hired as the only Independent Contractor for the repair and restoration of client and in-house
Inuit sculptures for the NorthWest Company art Wholesaler.
Tuluguk Sculpture Studio, Toronto, Ontario January 1994
EducationToronto School of Art, Toronto, Ontario 2001-2002 Tuluguk Sculpture Studio 1994
