Recently, glass-based artist and Art & Soul participant Madiha Zaidi presented her work as part of a residency with Artists Make Space.
Titled 'Shattered Wholeness', a theme of transformation runs through everything Zaidi creates, influenced by the vibrant colours of her homeland, Pakistan.
Her brand Invoke London making careful use of colour, Zaidi's art strives to showcase the beauty of embracing our broken parts.
To celebrate her huge recent achievements, Art & Soul spoke to Zaidi about her art-making process, inspirations, and her proudest moments throughout her art journey.
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What are your earliest memories of art-making?
"I focused on academics most of my life and only explored creativity in my 30s during a career break. After my son was born, I started making themed birthday decorations and party food. Realising the health impact, I joined an online art group and began with watercolours. This led to me than trying out various crafts including sewing, needle felting and now glass. I feel really passionate about glass and can’t get enough of it!"
What/who inspires you the most when it comes to your creativity?
"I am inspired by the beautiful colourful natural world, especially the northern lights, flowers, trees, and animals. My brand, Invoke London, is known for vibrant, emotionally resonant pieces using dichroic glass—a material celebrated for its colour-shifting properties and utilised by NASA for its advanced functionalities. My work continues to focus on Picasso-style fused glass compositions, where I carefully layer complementary glass colours and textures, with each broken piece representing a life’s challenge."
How would you describe your artistic process?
"My creative process begins with choosing something that excites me, often something very colourful, like butterflies. I research their symbolism to understand why I gravitate towards them and what message they might convey. I then look up images and articles for further inspiration. Next, I consider the techniques I know and how to apply them, analysing colours and textures to see how they complement each other. Finally, I start cutting glass and building up my work, adjusting until it feels right. I let my hands go with the flow, often losing track of time and entering a complete flow state."
Could you tell us a little more about your residency?
"During my 6-month residency at the Old Town Hall, Richmond, I am developing a new series titled 'Nature’s Reflections'. This body of work explores the symbolism and colours found in nature, focusing on themes of healing, growth, and transformation. Alongside this series, I am creating a new line of fused glass jewellery, offering wearable art inspired by these concepts."
What has been your biggest accomplishment as an artist so far?
"My biggest accomplishment as an artist so far has been securing this residency, especially considering my background is in Computer Science & Business Management, not art. Additionally, having my work sold at the Landmark Arts Centre and Orleans House Gallery has been a significant achievement."
How has Art & Soul helped you on your artistic journey?
"Covid had a big impact on me as I was shielding, which negatively affected my confidence and made me afraid to leave my home. Attending the Art & Soul sessions helped me reintegrate into society and reignited a creative spark that had been dormant due to my previous corporate lifestyle."
For more information please visit - https://invokelondon.co.uk
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We'd like to thank Madiha for sharing her story with us, and for helping make Art & Soul such a wonderful, thriving creative community.
Art & Soul's in-person sessions are set to return soon, if you are interested in joining these sessions please contact Maddy on maddy.howell@artandsoul.org.uk.
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