In Between the Light and the Darkness

Heahter Annette Phillips, MFA 2024, Glass

Heather Annette Phillips's thesis exhibition, In Between the Light and the Darkness, which took place in April 2024, represented a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution. The exhibition served as a metaphor for the embodiment of the incorporeal into the material realm.

Inspired by the inclusive ethos of the Rothko Chapel, Phillips endeavoured to create a sacred space open to all through her abstract works. Using layered images on 16-inch round circles housed in light boxes, she constructed a visual unity that invites viewers into a state of contemplation. Each piece, meticulously crafted, guides the viewer's attention, offering a new lexicon of abstract patterns to explore.

At the conceptual core of Heather Annette Phillips's practice lies a deliberate fusion of symbolism, materiality, and viewer engagement. By employing glass as more than just an architectural element, she seeks to transform secular spaces into sites of transcendence, where colour and light serve as conduits for emotional resonance and spiritual reflection.

Central to Phillips's artistic vocabulary is the circle, symbolizing boundary, unity, and infinity. Through this geometric form, she reconciles the rhythms of the natural world with our human interpretation of the cosmos. Light, both metaphorical and literal, becomes the medium through which these elements converge, illuminating the material and transcending the boundaries of perception.

As Heather Annette Phillips continues to push the boundaries of glass artistry, she invites viewers to embark on a transformative journey—one that harmonizes the tranquility of the cosmos within the chaos of modern existence. Through her work, she offers a glimpse into a realm where the tangible and the abstract coalesce, inviting contemplation and connection.

Heather Annette Phillips's artistic vision embodies a profound commitment to exploring the interplay between light, form, and meaning—a testament to her enduring curiosity and creative spirit.

"In Between the Light and the Darkness" Partial room view Photo Credit: Neighboring States

"In Between the Light and the Darkness" Partial room view with seating Photo Credit: Neighboring States

Corner view with “Poppies” and “The Blue Hour” Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Maple Keys” Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Maple Leaves” Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Poppies” Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Into the Light” centerpiece. Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Ginko” Detail. Photo Credit: Neighboring States

“Poppies” Detail. Photo Credit: Neighboring States

"Lava" (Detail), Glass, wood, 2023. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Poppies" Glass, wood, 2024. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Poppies" (Detail), Glass, wood, 2024. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Ginko" Glass, organic material, wood, 2023. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Ginko" (Detail), Glass, organic material, wood, 2023. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Maple Leaves" Glass, organic material, wood, 2024. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Maple Leaves" (Detail) Glass, organic material, wood, 2024. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

"Maple Keys" Glass, wood, 2024. Photo Credit: Heather Annette Phillips

Heather Annette Phillips

Exploring the intersection between the tangible and the intangible, Toronto-born artist Heather Annette Phillips navigates the realms of abstraction with a sense of purpose and contemplation. With an academic foundation rooted in glass craftsmanship and an acute awareness of the power of symbolism, Phillip’s artistic journey unfolds as a narrative bridging the ethereal with the material.

Having completes an Honors BA at the University of Toronto followed by an Honors Bachelor of Craft and Design with a specialization in glass at Sheridan College, Oakville, ON, Heather Phillips pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree at Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, PA. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for an artistic practice that seamlessly merges craftsmanship with the conceptual depth.

A recipient of numerous accolades, including the 2023 partnership scholarship with Urban Glass in NYC and the 2023 Glass Art Society conference’s 3rd prize in the Student Exhibition, Phillips’s trajectory is marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence. Notably, she was awarded the AACG Scholarship by The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass in 2022, underscoring her significance within the contemporary glass art landscape.

Website: heatherannettephillips.com
Instagram: @heatherannettephillips