Toronto artist Dori Vanderheyden discovered and became fascinated with the properties of light-emitting fluorescent plexiglass while earning her MFA at OCADU. “I decided to do an MFA later in my career to shake up my practice as a painter, now I paint with plastic and light.” Vanderheyden uses small strips of laser-cut plexiglass on their edges to create abstract wall sculptures filled with movement, light, and colour. Her work explores the ever-changing relationships and interactions between material, light, and colour in space. They offer the viewer a direct and visceral experience that evokes a rhythmic dance of colour. In her Silhouette Series, Vanderheyden distils the human form into prominent shadows against vibrant, light-filled backgrounds. Inspired by a spontaneous photograph of her own shadow, the series examines ideas of identity, concealment, and revelation, probing what individuals choose to share or keep hidden. Through layered compositions and a dynamic interplay between luminous colour and dark form, Vanderheyden creates works that are both intimate and universal, inviting viewers to interpret and emotionally connect with each piece while contemplating the layered nature of human experience.