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Charlotte de Belle, a French artist based in Dubai, has been illuminating the region with her neon art studio 'Vertical Design' since 2018.
As a former creative director in advertising, Charlotte always felt like something was missing from her career. She was drawn to light but didn’t know how to integrate it into her life.
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'Prismatic Dreamscape,' where the world is encapsulated within two outdoor art installations, each a harmonious interplay of contrasting element.Charlotte de Belle
A trip to New York changed everything, where she trained intensively at Brooklyn Glass under the guidance of David Ablon, a renowned neon artist. She returned to the UAE to create her own neon community.
"There was no real neon art scene here, just signage," she recalls. Therefore, she founded Vertical Design, the first neon studio in the Middle East.
The process of fire bending with glass tubes.Charlotte de Belle
Handmade neon using fire and glass
In Charlotte’s studio and workshop, every piece of neon art is handmade using fire and glass. "There’s no machine that can create the shapes; it’s all done by hand," she explains. Through her workshops, she teaches the meticulous process of neon art, guiding participants through each stage.
Neon glass is heated in fire until it becomes pliable, like a “hot noodle,” and then carefully shaped using a mouthpiece to blow air through the glass. “It’s all about controlling fire and glass, and it’s incredibly soothing but challenging'', Charlotte explains.
Vertical Design, in Al Quoz, Dubai Charlotte de Belle
300 kg art installation
One of Charlotte’s standout creations is ''Dreamscape," a large-scale installation which stood proudly between buildings at Dubai Design District during Dubai Design Week.
The installation weighs over 300 kg and required a crane for assembly. "It was a huge challenge, but it was worth it," she says. The piece incorporates recognizable shapes like palm trees and elements of earth and water, creating a dreamy, alternate universe feel.
''Dreamscape'' installation at Dubai Design Week Charlotte de Belle
Neon vs. LED: The big misconception
Many people confuse LED lights with neon, but Charlotte is quick to clarify the difference. "LED lights are often sold as neon, but they’re not," she explains. LED is a cheaper alternative, using a silicon-encapsulated strip on an acrylic backing.
"Neon is a gas flowing through a glass tube, which gives it a 360-degree glow that LED can’t replicate," she adds. Neon lights are brighter, last longer, and can be repaired, unlike LED strips that dim over time.
Charlotte de Belle
The timeless appeal of neon art
Neon lights, Charlotte emphasizes, are built to last. “In places like Las Vegas, some neon signs are over 100 years old and still glowing,” she says. The craft of neon is unique; no two pieces are the same.
For Charlotte, neon holds a special place in her heart. "It has this industrial feel and glow that LED just doesn’t have." While LED is ideal for temporary installations, restaurants or children’s rooms, neon is more durable and suitable for artistic installations and art pieces that stand the test of time.
Charlotte de Belle
The process: Dancing between heat and movement
Although the process may look easy, creating neon art is a delicate process that requires immense focus and skill. "The most common mistakes happen in the fire," Charlotte says. "It includes not heating the tube evenly or accidentally pulling the glass too thin, making it weak.''
Safety is paramount; each artist uses a mouthpiece to blow air into the glass to prevent it from collapsing while being shaped. Even the slightest error can mean starting over.
Charlotte de Belle
The science behind the colors
Neon lights come in a range of vibrant colors. "The colors are influenced by the type of gas and glass used," she says. Neon gas always glows red, while argon gas produces a blue hue. Some tubes are coated with phosphor, which reacts with the gas to create different colors like pink, orange, and green.
Charlotte de Belle
The craft of lettering
While much of neon art is abstract, Charlotte also specializes in lettering, a meticulous process that takes hours of practice. “For example, to create the single letter F, you often have to go back into the fire seven times,” she explains. This repetition ensures the glass is shaped perfectly, with curves hidden behind the letters to maintain a seamless look.
“It’s like sculpting in reverse,” she says, highlighting the complexity of the craft. Lettering in neon is not for the faint of heart, requiring skill and precision, which is why Charlotte has a dedicated team member for this intricate task.
Charlotte de Belle
A disappearing craft
Charlotte trained for four months in New York and brought everything she learned back to Dubai. “Neon is disappearing,” she laments.
“It’s still widely used for signage in the U.S., but artists are now taking it to the next level.” She sources her materials from the U.S., as it’s becoming harder to find neon supplies.
A male-dominated field
Charlotte de Belle
"When I walk into workshops in Al Quoz to buy materials, people are always surprised to see a woman," Charlotte says. Neon art was once a male-dominated field due to its roots in signage, but the tide is turning, and women like Charlotte are using neon in new, creative ways, from sculptures to light fixtures.
Her goal is to build a strong neon art community in Dubai, similar to the "She Bends" movement in the U.S., founded by Meryl Pataky. Which is a movement that supports women, promoting diversity and sustainability in neon art.
Through her workshops, Charlotte offers UAE residents the rare opportunity to learn a skill that has remained largely unchanged since neon’s invention.
Looking ahead, Charlotte dreams of expanding her workshop and teaching more students. She also aims to create larger installations for hotels, restaurants, and art centers
. "There’s so much more to explore with neon, and I want to push those boundaries," she says.
Charlotte de Belle
Whether you’re fascinated by the fire, the craftsmanship, or the glowing results, Charlotte’s 'Vertical Design' studio in Al Quoz is a place where art, light, and passion come together. Her Neon Discovery workshops are open to anyone over 16, offering a hands-on experience.
“It’s not as easy as it looks,” she laughs, “but once you’ve made your first neon piece, you’ll understand why I fell in love with it.”
Charlotte de Belle
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