“Sixe Paredes is not only an artist, he is also a shaman…” If Raphaël Cruyt of our fave ALICE Gallery introduces an artist as such, you know you can’t miss out. As a long-time favourite of founders Alice & Raph and almost ten years since his first show at the gallery, Spanish artist Sergio ‘Sixe’ Paredes will be unveiling his 'El Espíritu De La Montaña' solo exhibition at ALICE Gallery Brussels on Thursday January 19th. For the occasion, a 500-copy limited edition exhibition catalogue (60 pages - €5) published by ALICE Gallery and Sixe Paredes will be available to accompany the expo. As an artist I was previously unacquainted with, this exhibition is the perfect opportunity to get lost in the bright and mesmerizing colourscapes and shapes sprouted from the mind of Sixe Paredes.

Presenting works of acrylic paint on canvas as well as mixed media and sculptures, the expo draws inspiration from the artist’s experiences with the traditional ‘apus’, or mountain spirits, that he connected with on his travels to Peru.

Starting out as a pioneering graffiti artist in Barcelona during the 80s, Sixe Paredes has since also branched out as a prolific and highly-regarded sculptor and painter, covering the outside of Tate Modern for their ’08 Street Art expo and being exhibited alongside Spanish national treasures such as Joan Miró. His geometrical, colour-brimmed, surrealist vision draws the viewer into a different dimension. To prepare us for the expo, the artist released a short film showing him making an offering of coca leaves to the spirit of the Peruvian Cerro Blanco mountain, Apu Gran Cerro Blanco, to request success and strength in the making of art.

Images: ALICE, Sixe Paredes

SIXE PAREDES ‘EL ESPÍRITU DE LA MONTAÑA’January 19 - March 23 2017Vernissage: Thursday January 19 -  6PM

ALICE Gallery Rue du Pays de Liège 4 1000 Brussels Belgium