Mira Davida

Glass sculptor

©Oscar Nord

©Mira Davida

Flameworked expressions of nature

Mira has studied multiple glass techniques around the world
Flameworking is her favourite because it allows her to produce minute detail
Her sculptures celebrate the natural world and its creatures

Mira Davida's flair for glasswork dates back to 2012, when, aged 15, she was accepted into an art high school that had a glass department. She was immediately captivated by the craft. At university, she studied glass design in her native Budapest and then moved around the world to further improve and refine her skills, such as in Jerusalem, Prague, Stockholm, the USA as well as Germany. Eventually, she settled in Stockholm, where she opened her own studio in 2023. This is where she now creates her handmade, fine quality glass objects, using all the techniques she has learned along her journey, from glassblowing to cast glass and glass sculpting, with a special focus on flameworking. "I am not afraid of new challenges, so I have also been experimenting with painting and ceramics," shares Mira.

Interview

©Oscar Nord

©Mira Davida

Why did you choose flameworking as your main technique?: I chose it because it is the perfect technique to create details and work on a small scale, which is what I prefer about working with glass. Flameworking is also a relatively new technique, so there is still much to explore about it. And finally, it is less impacting on my body than glassblowing.
How would you describe your style?: Organic and analytic, but also sublime, ambiguous and unpredictable. I think natural and organic shapes are the best ones to highlight the characteristics and qualities of glass. As for colour – clear glass tells stories, coloured glass tells fairytales. I do love the magical qualities of both.
What is your source of inspiration?: Nature and natural phenomena inspire me. Insects fascinate me, as well as anything living in the seas and oceans, from microscopic creatures to great whales. Living in Stockholm has influenced me, too. The harsh Swedish winters and fairytale summers have left marks on my aesthetics!
How do you combine tradition and innovation in your work?: Glass working has thousands of years of history and glass objects are much more durable than some other materials. Living up to this unparalleled tradition is hard work. On the other hand, innovation is my way of expressing myself in my creations.

Mira Davida is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2012 and she started teaching in 2024