No Shrinkin Violet Collage

Aespyne Alix is a Tulsa, Oklahoma born contemporary artist based in Chicago. Her work is inspired by abstract expressionism and religious iconography. As a child Alix was deeply shaped by her parents' friendship with the late American painter, Norman Lewis’ wife, Ouida. Aespyne spent her summers admiring the artist's old sketchbooks and abstract paintings hanging up in his wifes Oklahoma residence. This profoundly influenced Aespyne’s love of art at an early age. Alix has held exhibitions and artists salons focused on mental health advocacy and awareness in communities of color. She has worked in collaboration with Lucy Ford and other artists in exhibitions at SXSW and Art Basel. Aespyne has been featured in the Bougie Art Gallery’s Abstract Art Now magazine. Aespyne has also been a guest speaker at Indiana University South Bend and Her Art, a night dedicated to women of color in the city of South Bend Indiana. Recently Aespyne spent time in Barcelona Spain under the RARO residency and exhibited internationally in 2021. Her latest collection, The Color Healing, features portraits of community members affected by trauma during the pandemic and their personal journey to healing. Alix continues to build her community by teaching K-12 art on the North side of Chicago teaching High School students from all 47 districts.