From an emergency GP to a glass artist – the unique journey of Dil Vahidova.
Dil Vahidova is a glass artist who has over 30 years behind her back as a doctor. I had the chance to catch up with her for an interview to learn more about her distinctive perspective. One of the first things she shared was how she developed a fear of glass because of her exposure to glass-prone injuries at A&E.
So, from an emergency care doctor to a glass artist, what inspired this fascinating transition? Was there a particular moment or event that sparked your passion for working with glass?
It was indeed quite a jump, but I think it was COVID-19 that brought it up. I got Long Covid and it was so bad I couldn’t work for two years afterwards, as I was still recovering. I was feeling very low mentally, so discovering glass as an art material and these bright lovely colours that are quite sharp, but then melt in the kiln and transform into something so beautiful and tactile, helped me significantly in my recovery.
Also, I had a fear of glass. I’ve been working as a doctor for 34 years now, mainly in A&E. So I have seen lots of glass-related injuries, lots of wounds, and I’ve sutured quite a few in my life.
Then, on my birthday three years ago, my daughter, who’s also a doctor – she’s a surgeon – gave me a gift voucher. It was for a glass course.
Cure by Exposure
Dil’s experience with the course wasn’t smooth sailing.
She was very apprehensive initially and outright furious about her daughter choosing a gift like this for her. The first few weeks were the most challenging, as she would “scream” every time somebody cut glass next to her. Dil had a hard time adjusting and for a long time refused to cut glass herself, even resorting to asking her teacher to cut it for her. Gradually, she became “really attracted to glass and even obsessed with it”.
Glasswork is not a cheap endeavour. Dil invested in a small kiln and of course art quality glass as well. She creates her work from her home studio in Bromley and exhibits across London.
What do you think makes glass such a captivating medium for artistic expression and how do you infuse your personality or experiences into your creations?
I love working with glass. There’s opaque and transparent glass. Light shines through transparent glass, making it come to life with brilliant colours and stunning reflections.
That’s why, I believe, in the UK and many European countries, stained glass windows were so popular for centuries and centuries. For example in England we don’t have much sunshine, even in summer, sadly. But with stained glass windows, when a little ray of light touches that colourful glass, it starts creating beautiful reflections all over the room or hall. It makes any space come to life, changing the atmosphere completely. And when people feel good in a place, it improves their wellbeing on so many levels. This process is really fascinating to me.
Opaque glass, on the other hand, isn’t transparent, so it cannot reflect the glass. For example, I have this art piece of an aloe vera plant and you can’t see the light behind it. However, once it’s moulded and fused in a kiln, the colours are just lovely and it’s still reflecting, almost like a mirror.
When I sit in my studio and create pieces, it just gives me this experience of mindfulness. It clears my head, and I don’t think about anything else. Past and future troubles melt away, just like the glass in my kiln. When you stay in the present, there’s no anxiety and that’s what mindfulness practice is all about. It’s a kind of meditation. That’s something glass now gives me, now I finally feel like I’m in control of it. My art reflects my love of gardens and plants, colour and vibrancy. And I do create a lot of pieces about the sea, waves and sea life. I find these elements of nature really calming and relaxing.
The Transformative Power of Art
Overcoming a phobia of glass by becoming a glass artist is a powerful reflection of the transformative power of art. What was once a source of fear—fragile, sharp, and unpredictable became a medium of beauty and self expression, paving the way to improved wellbeing. In a way, the process of shaping molten glass, understanding its delicate balance between strength and vulnerability, mirrors Dil’s personal journey of overcoming her fear through creativity.
For us at Creations Atelier, this transformation not only proves that art has the ability to heal and empower, but also to inspire others to see their own fears as opportunities for growth, that even the things that once terrified us can become our greatest passions.
Dil Vahidova is one of the artists taking part in Metamorphosis, a group exhibition in the Art Space of Marylebone Parish Church in London this spring.
Dates: 28 March – 22 April 2025
Private View: 4 April, 6-8pm
