Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Wrigley.
Hi Ruby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Sydney, Australia, and moved to the States at a young age for an “adventure” that was only supposed to last a year or two, yet here we are now. Many years later, still adventuring!
The textile industry has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, as my mum is a textile designer herself. My earliest introduction was one that I don’t remember, but one that she tells me of being a tiny newborn baby, wedged under her work table all day long. For the first 6 months of my life, I was doing the market circuit with her back home in Sydney. Sometimes attached to her hip, and others in a stroller with her one foot rocking me back and forth to keep me quiet while trying to make a sale. As I grew older, I was always by her side, constantly in a state of awe of what she was creating, and in hopes that one day I would grow up and be just like her.
Growing up, I was heavily encouraged to embrace my creativity. I was always fascinated by textiles and tactile practices, and from the beginning, I knew it was the path for me. Even if sometimes I wanted to rebel and go against the grain (the five minutes I thought I wanted to be a doctor). I was always sneaking off to go sew a new bag, or pillow set for my bed.
Fast forward to now, I am currently living in Savannah, Georgia, and attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, pursuing a major in Fibers! It was always a huge dream of mine to attend such a school, and I am so beyond grateful for all that SCAD and the Fibers Department has opened up for me. Being surrounded by such incredibly talented people every day is so inspiring, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I have been able to learn and experience so much from a young age, which has led to the deep passion and drive I have for what I do now. It is such a special gift to have something you love so much as a career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey to where I am now has been full of highs and full of lows, as most do. Like I mentioned before, I grew up surrounded in this amazing world of color and creativity, learning the ropes from my insanely talented mother. I always wanted to be just like her, but I also really just wanted to be my own person. This led to those moments of randomly deciding I wanted to be a doctor. Wanting to be as different as I could. But, as time went on, I realized this path was truly meant for me, and there was no denying it anymore.
When it was time to apply to colleges, I had wanted to stay close to home, close to mum and dad. Change was hard for me.
Then there came a day when my world flipped upside down, and this perfect life I thought I had didn’t feel so perfect anymore. So, I applied to SCAD on a whim, which I thought I would never get into. I worked for weeks to build the perfect portfolio in hopes it would prove I was meant to attend, and make up for the fact that my grades weren’t all that perfect. I wanted so badly to attend this school, but mostly to have a fresh start and break away from the harsh reality at the time. Spoiler alert, I got in!
Throughout my life, within all the ups and downs, there has always been a constant, which has been making. For as long as I can remember it has been a huge outlet for me. Being able to bring color and light into the darkness for not only myself but others.
I am so so grateful for the journey, and wouldn’t be where I am now without it all. The challenges always make the outcome so much sweeter.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a textile designer/ fiber artist focusing mostly on both print and pattern and knit fine art pieces. I love experimenting with all sorts of mediums, but have a newfound love for knit structures.
The goal for all of the work I create is to emphasize the beauty and simplicity of wonder. In hope that everyone who gets the chance to experience my work can be brought to their very own happy place of comfort and curiosity. I have found myself connecting all of my work to my childhood, and life experiences, as it was such a blissful and special time of my life. You can find a lot of this special imagery in my recent fabric collections! (you can find it linked on my website and Instagram page!)
Within my work, there is a huge emphasis on color and texture. Color to me, is probably the most important element of what I do. It can easily make or break a piece. Particularly in my most recent endeavor, which is the creation of my large knit chains.
I made the very first one back in November, and it opened up a whole new world for me, gaining more attention than I could have imagined! I had created it for my machine knitting final project, which was a class I honestly wasn’t too keen on. Mostly because it takes a while to get the hang of, and I was still working on some patience!
I decided to go big or go home, and wanted to make a knit object that could be used as decor within a home and double as a comfort item, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. I loved the idea of the chain structure, as it was pleasing to look at, and pleasing to weave your body through. Almost like a big warm hug!
Stripes had always been my favorite, and have oddly enough brought me so much comfort. Growing up, my mum strictly wore striped tops, and I matched with my striped tights. Again, always wanting to be just like her. So when designing this comfort object, nothing felt more perfect than carefully curated and colorful stripes.
I ended up falling in love with machine knitting while making the very first chain, and I am lucky enough to have the most supportive parents, who kindly purchased me my very own knitting machine to have at home so that I could continue to explore!
I now produce these soft sculptures to sell in a variety of sizes, including mini two-link options, which are my personal favorite. It has been so much fun to make these pieces, and I am so excited to see what will come next. I am so grateful to have so many incredible opportunities and recognition from this joy of mine! I am so beyond passionate about what I do and feel so lucky to get to do what I love so much every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubywrigley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byrubywrigley/
Image Credits
Photographer: Joe Tankersley
