Linus Woods

Linus Woods (b. 1967) is a Dakota and Ojibway visual artist from the Long Plain First Nation in southern Manitoba. Primarily a self-taught painter, he developed his foundational skills by taking art and Native Studies courses at Brandon University. He also received informal artistic training and mentorship from Canadian artist Jane Ash Poitras.

In 1994, Woods began traveling extensively across North America to document Indigenous oral traditions, folklore, and legends. He incorporated these narratives into his studio practice, working primarily with mixed media, acrylics, and oils to create layered compositions. His artwork frequently depicts animals, spiritual themes, and scenes from the natural world. He is also known for integrating speculative subjects, such as UFO encounters, into traditional Indigenous settings. His practice serves as a visual record of both historical memory and current cultural realities.

Woods has participated in institutional and public exhibitions over his career. In 2003, his work was selected for the Image Makers First Nation Art Exhibit in Los Angeles, California. In 2010, his artwork was featured in "Close Encounters: The Next 500 Years", a comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Indigenous art organized by the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He has also engaged in arts education, serving as an Artist in Residence at Highlands Junior High School in Edmonton, Alberta.

His contributions to Canadian art have been supported by grants from the Manitoba Arts Council and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. He has won the Peace Hills Trust Indigenous Art Competition on multiple occasions. Woods's paintings are held in the permanent collections of public institutions, including the Canada Council Art Bank, the Government of Manitoba, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. His work is also represented in the institutional collections of Brandon University, the University of Winnipeg, and the Peace Hills Trust