An apparatus for forming a colored image on a display, includes a VCSEL array device having a plurality of light-emitting pixels wherein each light-emitting pixel produces a beam of light including substantial components in a portion of the visible spectrum so that different light-emitting pixels produce different colored light; and a light shutter layer for each light-emitting pixel providing a modulator disposed in the path of the corresponding light beam for selectively passing corresponding colored light for providing a colored light image on the display.