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171 Henry Avenue (5)
Location Map
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'Buffalo nation came for quill art girl'.
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Location: W side Austin bet. Henry and Higgins; East Face
Occupant: Astum Api Niikinaahk
District: City Centre
Neighbourhood: South Point Douglas
Artist(s): Linus Woods (unsigned)
Year: 2022
Sponsors: Wall to Wall Mural & Culture Festival, Synonym Art Consultation, Graffiti Art Programming, Signex Manufacturing
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About the Artist: Linus Woods is a Dakota/ Ojibway artist from the Long Plain First Nation in Southern Manitoba where he was born in 1967. Linus is largely self-taught but has taken art and Native studies courses at Brandon University and has also studied with artists such as Jane Ash Poitras. He sees his paintings as expressions and extensions of his spiritual journey. His work is based on the oral traditions, dreams, stories and legends of his ancestors that he approaches with his own humour. He is also profoundly influenced by nature and his surroundings on the Long Plains Reserve. Linus brings his images to life using mixed media, mainly acrylics and oils in layered compositions. As such Linus'
works evoke memories of the past yet reflect current political and cultural Aboriginal issues. Linus Woods is a winner of the Peace Hills Trust Company Art Competition and in 2003 was one of seven artists chosen for the Image Makers First Nation Art Exhibit in Los Angeles. Most recently in 2010, his work was included in Close Encounters: The Next 500 Years exhibition of contemporary indigenous art organized by the Winnipeg Art Gallery that features premier indigenous artists from Canada (Brian Jungen, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun and Inuit artist Shuvinai Ashoona for example) and from around the world (New Zealand, the U.S., South America, Europe and Australia). In addition to private collections in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, Wood's work can also be found at Brandon University, The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Arrowhead Corp., The Government of Manitoba, The University of Winnipeg, and the Peace Hills Trust.
About the Project:
Daina Warren, Lead Curator: "Astum Api Niikinaahk is an Indigenous-led community housing project constructed on the grounds of the Circle of Life Thunderbird House in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Treaty 1 Territory. The intent of this entire project is to address and end homelessness. The Astum Api Niikinaahk project is also my curatorial work in which we invited five notable, local Indigenous artists, Arlea Ashcroft, Justin Bear, Roger Crait, Louis Vasquez, and Linus Woods to contribute to a public art series at this new housing site."
"Our knowledge keepers, elders, and cultural workers were all incredibly helpful in defining the scope of the curatorial vision. Committee sessions raised ideas and concepts related to the histories of this location, specifically those of the beings that lived in this locale before the urban landscape grew up around it. I was guided to look at artworks focused on the winged beings, the no legged, bear as a protector, as well as the tipi as it conceptually stands for the feminine and caring of community. I want to thank the partners on the project, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata, End Homelessness, and Synonym Art Consultation for inviting me to be part of this incredible project. I am grateful to have worked with the committee to consider how art can positively contribute to the diverse community of the Thunderbird House location and this unique housing initiative."
Source: Wall to Wall, 2022
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