bio
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.” Using small strips of laser-cut plexi on their edge to create abstract wall sculptures filled with movement, light, and colour, her work explores the ever-changing relationships and interactions between light and colour in space. They offer the viewer a direct and visceral experience that evokes a rhythmic dance of colour.
education
Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design (MFA) OCAD University
Master of Education coursework complete University of Manitoba
Bachelor of Education University of Toronto
Art and Art History B.A. University of Toronto
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solo shows
2019 Living Arts Centre Mississauga
2019 Propeller Gallery Embodied Colour: Material Moves
2017 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
2017 The Artist Project Toronto
2016 Propeller Gallery Toronto
2014 Propeller Gallery Toronto
2012 Propeller Gallery Toronto
2010 Central Gallery, CTS Toronto
2006 University of Manitoba
2005 Site Gallery Winnipeg
2004 Site Gallery Winnipeg
2004 Open House Show Winnipeg
group shows
2025 Artist Project Toronto
2025 Micak Contemporary Art Gallery Aurora ON
2024 The Other Art Fair Brooklyn NY
2024 John Mann Gallery Niagra Falls
2024 Artist Project Toronto
2023 Artist Project Toronto
2020 Twist Gallery Toronto
2019 Propeller Gallery, guest curator “Unmade”
2019 GradEx OCAD University
2018 The Kingston Prize Portrait Finalist Exhibition, Harbourfront Gallery
2018 The Kingston Prize Portrait Finalist Exhibition, Peel Art Gallery
2018 Propeller Gallery, juried show “Colour”
2015 Propeller Gallery
2014 Propeller Gallery
2013 Propeller Gallery
2006 Woodlands Gallery Winnipeg
2003 Toronto Inside Art Show
2001 Art Gallery of Sudbury
1999 Art Gallery of Mississauga, Doris McCarthy juried show
1991 Erindale Gallery Mississauga
1990 Hamilton Artists’ Inc
1990 Justina Barnicke Gallery Toronto
awards
2017 The Kingston Art Prize, Finalist
1990 Justina Barnicke Gallery Open Juried Show, Third Prize
1984 University of Toronto purchases graduation self-portrait
publications
2018 What do you Mean by That? Exhibition Catalogue, work featured on the cover
2013 Living With Strangers Film by Elli Raynai featured my paintings for artist main character
2006 Counselling Ethics: Issues and Cases, Rock Your World painting featured on the cover
2004 Winnipeg Free Press 05/5/2004, Artist Interview article