Envol by Alix Parisien – Vernissage

Galerie Old Chelsea is delighted to host a second exhibition by Alix Parisien, an Outaouais artist who paints in a primitive style. Bold, exuberant, fresh, pared-down shapes, are words that describe her art well.   Says Alix “When you are a bit different, you have to find other ways to realize your potential and achieve your goals. I am a young woman with Down syndrome. I don’t like to talk about that, but you have to know this.”

Alix’s journey was not easy.  She would have liked to study art at the college or at the university level, but she was not accepted. So she followed her own path. She participated in art camps at the National Art Gallery to develop her artistic talent.  She also took courses with the City of Gatineau and with professional artists.

“I like to paint animals, the river, water, but especially birds, they are free” Alix tells us. “Climate change worries me a lot, so I paint my Nature. My first solo exhibition was five years ago at Galerie Old Chelsea. It was fun to meet all kinds of people. It encourages me to continue. I also participated in a group exhibition at the Maison de la Culture de Gatineau and a solo exhibition at the EspaceCulturel in Cantley”.

“I like to paint, I need to paint and I paint every day. I have a slightly naive style but not quite. I think it’s an original style.  I find that it is reminiscent of Aboriginal or Scandinavian art with all the bright colours that I use. Maybe it’s a Down syndrome style, it’s my little extra chromosome that makes my art unique.”