During her residency, Pixel Heller will create new paintings and costumes inspired by her Black cultural heritage, while workshopping presentation strategies for her multidisciplinary practice. Drawing especially from the traditions of Carnival, Pixel will use paint and textiles to explore identity, resistance, and joy through the dynamic colours, forms, and characters of Caribbean masquerades. Embracing a desire to reimagine the human form and tell immersive stories with her work, Pixel’s residency exhibition will also celebrate the strength, unity, and creativity of Caribbean Carnival traditions.

Artist Bio:

Pixel Heller is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Toronto, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cross Disciplinary Studies with a specialization in Life Studies from OCAD University in 2024. During her time at OCAD U, Pixel was awarded the Joan and Clifford Hatch Foundation Scholarship in Life Studies in both 2022 and 2023. In her final year, Pixel received the Cross-Disciplinary Art Medal, the Nora E. Vaughan Award, and the Format Website Prize Career Launcher. Pixel’s work has been showcased at Gallery 1313, Meridian Arts Centre, Yonge and Dundas Square, and internationally at the Black Brazil Art Biennial. Her artwork is featured in The Wedge Collection and Stikeman Elliott Private Collection. She has performed at events such as Artist Project and the Waterloo Region Museum. Pixel has worked with HERMÉS Canada and participated in Vibe Arts NExT: Cohort 5.0.