ABOUT ME

Hi there! My name is Ruby Zena, I am a multi media artist and designer based in Brighton. I love colour, being by the sea, snorkelling and travel; in 2024 I went backpacking through South America for 3 months which was an amazing experience and hugely inspirational for my work.

I graduated with 1st Class honors in BA Textiles at Arts University Bournemouth in 2022 and since then I have built experience within teaching, working in creative studios, and my own freelance practice.

I also enjoy being a part of competitions and exhibitions; I was a finalist in the 2022 Hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery, (exhibited in Soho November 2023) and shortlisted for The Batsford Prize, 2022. My work has also been exhibited at New Designers (London) in 2022, and Premier Vision (Paris) in 2020.

I love working with a variety of traditional and unexpected/recycled materials to create texturally interesting designs, whether for garments, interior design, or event spaces! Working mostly through stitch, knit and crochet, what excites me most is taking ‘boring’ or discarded materials/objects and making them into unique, detailed and colourful artworks for people to enjoy.

ABOUT MY PROCESS

DRAWING

My process always begins with drawing, this can take inspiration from anything; nature, fashion, or simply the materials I have in front of me.

I enjoy combining many techniques within my drawing process such as collage, stitching, painting, stamping, printing, embellishing and modelling. I love using discarded materials as it pushes me to think of unique ideas and it gives waste materials a new life. These materials typically include packaging, PVC, acrylics, papers, and elastic bands. I explore the mix of textures by cutting away negative space, punching holes, colouring the edges of my materials, and adding small details or moving parts.

I design in a very 3 dimensional way which results in highly textural drawings, these inspire my garments & artworks for interior spaces.

spiky flower.jpg
centy.jpg
purple flowers.jpg
painting.jpg
spikydrawing.jpg
painting2 2.jpg

making

These drawings inspire me to further experiment through stitching, styling, editing and refining to discover how they may become a garment, accessory or artpiece.

collaborating

Collaborating with other creatives such as photographers, stylists, MUAs, event teams and theatre producers allows me to contextualise my work in lots of different ways which I find really exciting and often inspires new ideas and projects. A couple of my favourite collaborations are shown here, but do check out my portfolio section to see more.

ANA TOMICAL

Editorial shoot featuring Ruby Zena beaded spider accessories. Directed, modelled, make up and wigs by Glow Up S5 winner Saphron Morgan. Published in Noctis Magazine September 2023.

Photographer Reem Nawal, Stylist Shellie Seymour & MUA Assistant Milena Watts.

MADDIE QUINN

Fashion editorial shoot featuring Ruby Zena beaded headpiece. Promoting Big Billy Studios in North London, May 2022.

Photographer Clara Barroso, MUA Patricia Boebe, Hair Stylist Elle Lewin & Model Maddie Quinn.