“For nearly fifteen years, I have translated my drawings, collages, and paintings into hand-knotted rugs woven in Nepal. In my newest body of work, I bring the process full circle by weaving the same hand-spun yarns from my rugs, back into my artwork. As I bind the soft hand-spun fibres around the sharp edges of the machine-made glass it becomes a quiet, meditative act in repair - where self-reflection occurs, and a tactile connection develops between the past and the present. My practice connects me to a material language that has shaped my creative expression, while paying tribute to the weavers I’ve been collaborating with for over a decade.” - Robyn Waffle
Statement
Robyn Waffle is a textile-based multidisciplinary artist working between fibre, sculpture, and installation. Grounded in long-standing collaborations with Nepalese weavers, Waffle creates layered compositions that move between textile, object, and atmosphere. Her tactile practice explores themes of struggle, release, and transformation, framing life’s entanglements not as obstacles but as catalysts for change. Working with hand-spun fibres from Nepal, vintage textiles, acrylic glass, and mirror, Waffle creates suspended sculptural forms that examine the relationship between the handmade and the manufactured. An abstracted moth motif recurs throughout the work, referencing both the quiet damage moths cause to carpets, and the transformative alchemy of silk. This tension reflects cycles of erosion and renewal, where loss and creation coexist in tandem. Working between ancient weaving traditions and contemporary modes of production, Robyn Waffle reimagines the language of rug making, while exploring the power of craft and how it endures, adapts and transforms in response to contemporary life.
Practice
Through her studio, Robyn Waffle positions rugs and textiles as both functional design objects and sculptural works of art. For nearly fifteen years, Robyn has created custom commissions and independent works, developing unique textile pieces shaped by material research, scale, and environment.
Robyn Waffle’s work exists in a constant exchange between handcraft and modern technology. Beginning with sketches, digital drawings, and rendered collages, Waffle layers images of interiors, textiles, and abstract forms into compositions that evolve from small studies into large-scale works. While technology informs her process, it’s the craftsmanship and tactile nature of the handmade details that give her pieces depth, intrigue, and creative strength.
Commissions & Collaboration
Based in Toronto, Robyn Waffle creates custom textile works for residential interiors, architectural projects, and curated spaces. Working closely with interior designers, architects, and art consultants, each piece is thoughtfully developed to reflect and respond to its environment through material, texture, and form.
Every project begins with exploring materials and context. Fibre, texture, and composition are shaped in response to the environment, moving through concept development, sampling, refinement, and production with careful attention to detail and installation.
Tailored presentations and proposals can be developed in response to interior design boards, material palettes, or detailed project specifications, helping clients visualize works within the context of a space.
Robyn Waffle’s newest rug collections are available for purchase through R:DESIGN in Toronto.
— SELECTED EXHIBITIONS —
Rug Moths in Flight Installation - Enercare Centre - The Toronto Home Show - Toronto 2026
Where Wings Tangle: An Ode To Rugs - R:GALLERY - DesignTO Festival - Toronto 2026
Where Wings Tangle - Artist Project - Toronto 2025
Neutral Curves - R:GALLERY - Toronto 2024
Hypnotic Hush Collection - BDNY 2022 - New York City 2022
Future Nature Collection - IDS 2022 - Toronto 2022
Outside Looking In. - Artist Project - Toronto 2020
The Luna Collection - BDNY 2019 - New York City 2019
Baked Jewel Tones Exhibit - BDWest 2019 - Los Angeles 2019
Canada 150 Celebration - Two Pom Mosaic™ Installations - Heritage Properties - Toronto 2018
Woven Space - First Pom Mosaic™ Installation - Come Up to My Room - Gladstone Hotel - Toronto 2017
Elevation Window Display - Toronto Design Offsite Festival - Toronto - 2017
Arctic Sea Ice Installation - In Collaboration with Dystil - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2015
Emery Street Records Launch Party - Farnham Quebec - 2014
Crease Pattern Window Display - Toronto Design Offsite Festival - 2014
Crease Patterns Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2014
Rug Stance Solo Show - Colourfield Gallery - Toronto - 2013
Accordion Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2013
Across the Line Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2012
Together Is Amazing - SHAW Cable Commercial - Vancouver BC - 2010
Spring Fever Solo Show - The Whip Gallery - Vancouver BC - 2010
Tidal Rising Solo Show - Anza Club - Vancouver BC - 2009
OZ Group Show - Anza Club - Vancouver BC - 2008
SLAW Solo Show - Charlie's Gallery - Toronto - 2008
Fashion Phantom Solo Show - Well & Good Gallery - Toronto - 2006
— EDUCATION —
Bachelor of Design & Communications - Ryerson University, Toronto CA
Marketing Major - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne AUS
Abstract Painting - Lanagara College, Vancouver CA
— AWARDS —
Best Of BDWEST - 2019 - With PI FINE ART - Best New Wallcovering
BEST MODERN DESIGN - 2016 - The Carpet Design Awards - DOMOTEX (Hossein Rezvani entered one of Robyn Waffle’s original rug designs which won for Best Modern Design in 2016)
Design Lines Loves Award - 2015 - With Totem Design Co. - Lynx Crest Tapestry
Herman Miller Juror's Choice Award - 2013 - With Fugitive Glue - Rug Collection
Design Lines Loves Award - 2013 - With Modallion - The Gaga Rug
— SELECTED CLIENTS & COLLABORATORS —
— SELECTED PUBLICATIONS —
