Artist & Makers Statement
Laura Derby, an artist and maker working under the name Rugaura, my name, with “rug” at the front. Based in the Artists’ Town of Kirkcudbright, I work from a WASPS studio, where my practice is rooted in hand-tufting and a deep connection to material, place, and process.
I returned to tufting later in life, following a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design (Woven Textiles) and formative time in New Zealand, where I learned the craft within a highly skilled small team. Now, around eight years into this part of my journey, I have developed a practice that combines technical skill with intuitive making. My work has been exhibited locally and nationally, and supported through opportunities including the Inches Carr Development Award, residencies in Skye and at Marchmont Creative Spaces, and recently a youth project commission with Upland. I was awarded the Unesco Charter Mark in 2019 for sourcing and making as sustainably as possible.
My work is inspired by what I think of as the “spaces in between”, subtle, often overlooked connections that shape how we relate to each other and the world around us. Alongside my creative practice, I work in mental health, where listening and holding space are central. This experience informs how I approach making: as a way of opening up connection, attention, and care.
Visually, I draw on influences ranging from ancient rock markings to the ecological thinking of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, alongside a wider respect for natural systems and rhythms. I work primarily with British wool, often custom-dyed or sourced as repurposed yarn, creating detailed, one-off pieces that sit between art and function.
Each work is hand-tufted as a kind of painting in wool, layered, intuitive, and often finished with a soft, irregular edge. My aim is to create heirloom-quality pieces that feel both grounded and alive, offering a sense of connection, continuity, and quiet inviting presence within everyday spaces.
Artists Bio
Laura Derby is a textile artist and maker who creates unique, handcrafted rugs, wall hangings, mindfulness mats, and upholstered stools. Working in hand-tufted wool, she approaches the process as a form of painting and sculpting with yarn, drawing on natural forms and heritage-inspired motifs.
Committed to ethical and sustainable making, Laura uses 100% British wool alongside repurposed yarn from the British carpet industry. Her upholstered stools are crafted in collaboration with skilled local woodworkers, often using timber from storm-fallen trees. Her work has been recognised with The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Certification Mark, reflecting the provenance and environmental integrity of her materials.
Laura creates heirloom-quality functional pieces designed to be lived with and to endure. Her practice is rooted in strengthening connections between art, nature, and everyday life, with a strong interest in the psychological and cultural value of making and material awareness.
Photography by Alistair Hamilton
Laura Derby CV
Textile Artist, Designer and Maker
WASPS Artists Studio No 2, Cannonwalls and Claverhouse, 117 High Street, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, DG6 4JG
07964788501 - laura@rugaura.com
Relevant Education
1990 BA Honours Degree in Industrial Design (Woven Textiles) Scottish College of Textiles (Herriot Watt) 1986-1990
2022 Sustaining Craft Business University of Highlands and Islands
2018 Seeing Deeply through The Mindfulness Association
2006 SVQ Level 4 Health and Social Care
Relevant Work Experience
2018-present Textile Artist, Designer and Maker; sole trader making to my own designs and to commission.
1994/1995 Artisan Rug Maker with Dilana Rugs, New Zealand
1990/1991 Textile Designer Reid and Taylor (high quality menswear fabrics) Langholm, Scotland
1996-present Project/Outreach Worker/Co-ordinator with Change Mental Health supporting people towards recovery
1980/1986 Various livestock farming and rural experience
Solo and Group Exhibitions
11/2024 Group ‘Wallnuts’ Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
08/2024 Group Kirkcudbright Arts andCrafts Trail, WASPS, Kirkcudbright
07/2024 Group ‘Eight’ The Borgue Collective/Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kbt.
05/2024 Group ‘Spring Fling’ Open Studios Event/Upland CIC, WASPS, Kbt.
04/2024 Group ‘WASPS Spring Show’ Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
04/2024 Solo ‘Hidden Line’ Granton Station/WASPS, Edinburgh
12/2023 Group WASPS Winter Market, The Briggait, Glasgow
11/2023 Group ‘Regeneration’ Wallnuts/Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
07/2023 Group ‘Recent Works’ Borgue Collective/Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kbt.
05/2023 Group ‘Spring Fling’ Open Studios Event/Upland CIC, WASPS, Kbt.
03/2023 Group ‘WASPS x Kirkcudbright Galleries’ Kirkcudbright Galleries, Kbt.
12/2022 Group ‘7 of 7’ Borgue Collective/Castle Douglas Art Gallery
12/2022 Group WASPS Winter Market, The Briggait, Glasgow
11/2022 Group Upland Made, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
11/2022 Group ‘Rewilding’ Wallnuts/Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
09/2022 Group ‘Craft House’ The Briggait, Glasgow
07/2022 Group ‘Ebb & Flow’ The Borgue Collective/Harbour Cottage Gallery
06/2022 Group ‘Second Nature’ WASPS & Marchmont Creative Spaces/Patriothall
06/2022 Group ‘Spring Fling’ Open Studios Event/Upland CIC, WASPS, Kbt.
05/2022 Group ‘Spring Fling at 20yrs’ Gracefield Arts Centre/upland CIC, Dumfries
12/2021 Group WASPS Winter Market, The Briggait, Glasgow
09/2021 Group ‘Out On Their Own Together’ The Borgue Collective/Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
08/2021 Solo ‘Open Studios’ Marchmont Creative Spaces/Fogo Cottage, Borders
08/2021 Group ‘CLOTH#21’ Curated Textile Event/The Dovecot, Edinburgh
07/2021 Group ‘WASPS ‘10 Years On’ Kirkcudbright Galleries/WASPS, Kbt.
07/2021 Group ‘Corfield Derby Hamilton Lochhead’ Harbour Cottage Gallery/Kbt.
06/2021 Group ‘Spring Fling Pop Up Event’ Mill on the Fleet/Upland CIC, G of Fleet
11/2020 Group ‘Wallnuts’ Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright
09/2020 Group ‘Corfield Derby Hamilton Lochhead’ Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kbt.
09/2020 Group ‘Spring Fling Open Studio Event Rescheduled’ Upland CIC online
08/2020 Group ‘Spring Fling Postcard for D&G event’ Upland CIC online
09/2019 Group ‘Under Galloway Skies’ Borgue Collective/Castle Douglas Gallery
08/2019 Group ‘Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Trail’ Venue 32 in Cochran Hall
10/2018 Group ‘Into the Light’ The Borgue Collective/Kbt Harbour Cottage Gallery
05/2018 Group ‘Spring Fling Open Studio Event’ Upland CIC/Home Studio Setting
04/2018 Group “Place” Ottersburn Gallery/Upland CIC,Dumfries
Awards
12/2022 Inches Carr Bursary; Emerging Maker 2022
For advancement in the field of contemporary craft, innovative investigation of processes and materials and exploration of aspects of developing a sustainable practice
09/2021 Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Certification Mark
Awarded in recognition of high-quality standards in delivering environmental and sustainable development benefits to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and for producing works of art in promotion of our local natural heritage made of materials of provenance.
Residencies
02/2023 WASPS Artists Residency, Admirals Cottage, Skye
08/2021 Marchmont Creative Spaces and WASPS collaboration residency in Rory McEwan’s Studio Cottage Fogo, Duns
Commissions/Collections
04/2024 ‘Bee’ tufted 4 leg local hardwood stool Elizabeth Rowland, Wiltshire
03/2024 ‘Flow’ 2 tufted Italian ash music stools for Anne Chaurand, Dalry
09/2023 ‘Forest Moss’ tufted and dyed ash stool for Alison Bowley, Wigtown
8/2023 ‘Peatland Fauna’ oval wall hanging, Joan Mitchell Chair of GSAB
6/2023 ‘Pierra Menta’’ 1.75mtr square rug, Susan Evans, Bromley
03/2022 ‘Lily’ 1.75cm diameter round rug, Margaret Kennedy, Glasgow
12/2022 ‘Border’ 3mtrx2.3mtr large dining room rug, Lucy Holbrook, Wirral
7/2022 ‘Susan’ three curve leg larch stool, Susan Edwards, Kirkcudbright
05/2022 ‘Pomegranate’ large footstool/table, Frances Hlanze,Castle Douglas
09/2021 ‘ToadStools' 2 upholstered larch stools Deirdre Horyshed, Borders
06/2021 ‘Northern Lights’ Green Wood Stool Pam Scott, Peak District
05/2021 ‘Jacaranda’ 3mtr Hall Runner, Angela Hiddleston, Kirkcudbright
10/2020 ‘Dragonfly’ Hall Runner and round mat Gill Lindsay, Kirkcudbright
02/2020 ‘Sea Foam’ intended for Island Arts ‘The North Sea’ Belfast
10/2019 ‘Dhoon’ 3mtr Hall Runner, Mr & Mrs Johnston, Kirkcudbright
08/2018 ‘Thistle’ Hearth Rug, Halina McLachlan, Barassie
06/2018 ‘Stag’ Hearth Rug, Mr & Mrs Shepherd, Kirkcudbright
03/2018 ‘Sax’ Wall Hanging, Mr & Mrs McLachlan, Kirkcudbright
09/2017 ‘Rose’ Wall Hanging, Mr Coupe, Kirkcudbright and Glasgow
06/2017 ‘Trees’ Hearth Rug, Morag and Neil McLachlan, Kirkcudbright
04/2017 ‘Belties’ Wall Hanging, Lindsay and Jonny Kently, Pumpherston
04/2016 ‘Leaves’ Floor Center piece, Gill Lindsay, Kirkcudbright
Talks and Workshops
11/2024 Talk/ demo/ taster Textile and Embroidery Group Dumfries
11/2023 Workshop Tufting Taster for 2 people
05/2023 Talk/ demo/ taster Castle Douglas Embroidery Group
06/2023 Workshop Tailored Stool Top Tufting for 2 people
04/2023 Workshop Tailored Stool Top Tufting for 2 people
03/2023 Workshop Tufted Wall hanging for 3 people
02/2023 Talk/ demo/ taster Borders Textile Group, Foulden
11/2022 Talk/ demo/ taster MAD Festival of Creativity, show/talk, Whithorn
10/2022 Tufting Workshop Glasgow School of Art Embroidery Department
Press and Publications
https://www.waspsstudios.org.uk/2022/05/13/perspectives-podcast-ep-4-laura-derby-rugaura/
05/2021 Dumfries and Galloway Life Magazine Feature
https://amandajanetextiles.com/2018/06/11/laura-derby-rugmaker/
Stockists
Buy Design Gallery, near Jedburgh, stockist of Scottish hardwood and textiles
Kirkcudbright Galleries,National Gallery, Kirkcudbright
Memberships and Affiliations
2018 Upland CIC, Full Member
2020 Craft Scotland, Full member
2019 Applied Art Scotland, Full Member
2020 Visual Art Scotland, Ordinary Member
2021 Heritage Crafts
2022 CraftHub EU
2022 DAGFAS
2018 Scottish Artists Union