From Survival to Thriving: How the Artists Make Space Residency Changed Everything By Madiha Zaidi, Glass Artist & founder of Invoke London

Artists Make Space provides free creative workspaces across the borough through Richmond Arts Service which is part of Richmond Council. Madiha Zaidi took part in the 2024-25 programme and here she shares her experience.  

Madiha Zaidi, based in Richmond, is the founder of Invoke London, a brand celebrating the transformative power of colour. Madiha works with dichroic glass, which gives her creations an almost otherworldly quality due to its mesmerising colour-shifting properties. Utilised by NASA in advanced technologies, she describes this remarkable material as ‘out of this world’. Her artistic journey began at The Richmond Art School, where she mastered the delicate craft of glasswork.  

From Madiha:

“As I reflect on my time during the Artists Make Space residency at the Old Town Hall in Richmond, I’m filled with immense gratitude—not just for the creative opportunities, but for how profoundly this experience has transformed me, both as an artist and as a person. This residency marked the first time I’ve had a dedicated studio space in eight years. For someone working with fused glass, that kind of physical and visual access—being able to lay out tools, arrange glass by shape, colour, and texture —was nothing short of liberating. It allowed me to invest in essential equipment like a grinder and a microwave kiln, unlocking a whole new world of experimentation, refinement and creative play.

The transformation went beyond just making art. The studio became a creative hub—where I could design and make, photograph my fused glass jewellery collections, edit images with my photographer, film behind-the scenes videos to build my social media presence and practise setting up for art fairs. I even built my online shop, invokelondon.co.uk—the home of my fused glass jewellery brand, Invoke London. 

What surprised me most, however, was the internal shift. As a full-time carer, life can be incredibly demanding. The mental load is relentless and it’s easy to lose your sense of self when so much energy is focused on supporting others. This studio—my space—became a lifeline. For the first time in years, I could breathe, explore and reconnect with who I am outside of my caring role.  

I am not just surviving anymore. I am thriving. I am creating again. And that creative freedom brought unexpected breakthroughs. I experimented with layering glass types—iridised, dichroic and opalescent—to achieve various effects. I tried new techniques like screen printing and pattern bars. I made my own frit (the mixture of silica and fluxes which is fused at high temperature to make glass) and worked with materials like glass powder, stringers, murrine, copper oxide and copper foil. I realised that I didn’t need certainty to create something beautiful—quite the opposite.  

Letting go of control and allowing the glass to surprise me became the most thrilling part of my process. Some of my best work came from accidents, not perfection. This shift in mindset changed everything: I stopped overthinking and started trusting my instincts. Customers noticed this too—at art fairs, many commented on the emotion and freedom they felt in my work. That feedback gave me even more permission to let go and lean into joy. 

One of the most memorable moments was seeing my glass panels professionally installed on the gallery walls—an emotional, proud and affirming experience I will carry with me always. For years, I believed I had to choose between being academic and creative. This residency shattered that myth. I now know we don’t have to limit ourselves—we can be many things at once. That lesson has empowered me deeply and it’s something I now share with my son and others who need to hear it. 

The ripple effect continues. My handmade fused glass jewellery and decorations are now stocked at both Orleans House Gallery and Landmark Arts Centre, and I am in talks with other stockists. I was also recently invited to lead a creative workshop for a local charity. 

Creatively, I’ve been focusing on the symbolism found in nature—its power to heal, transform, and connect us. This led to the development of Elementa, a new collection inspired by the four natural elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water —each designed with colours to evoke healing energies. These are now being showcased at the Landmark Arts Centre, alongside new collections including Astra, Luna, Orb, Nova and Stella—all now available on my website.

I am now excited to explore a new direction in my work—combining love for fused glass with needle-felted wool. These two very different materials let me play with ideas of contrast and connection. To the entire Arts Service Team and everyone involved in Artists Make Space, thank you. You have planted seeds that will continue to grow far beyond these walls.“

Find out more about the Artists Make Space programme.