“It’s a space for people to come together and connect”

Brand founder, Xaviera Black of Mother Rugger opened the doors to her gallery shop in December 2023. Located by the waterside in the heart of The Brentford Project, she’s since been inspiring the local community by providing a hub for creative minds to meet and explore their art. Here she tells us more

You could say I’m a quick worker! I finished my degree in Creative arts and a week later had decided to create my business. Whilst my degree specialised in painting, I’d also learnt how to make rugs and this was the inspiration for my business. In-fact, I’d saved my student loan to go travelling but Covid put a stop to that so instead I invested it into starting Mother Rugger.

At first I was focused on selling rugs - and whilst I still am, it became apparent very quickly that the laborious nature of creating each one by hand was not going to be realistic as a business. Making a standard 6x4 inch rug took a full two weeks alone, so I managed to source a fantastic supplier in New Delhi who is brilliant at taking my designs and turning them into a reality. 

This has enabled me to focus my time on running the business, and gradually cultivate the space into a community hub as well as a platform to sell my rugs and other curated items. I’ve lived in Brentford my entire life - I know it like the back of my hand and it’s got a vibrant creative crowd here. Loosing our art centre meant there wasn’t a place to connect so that was my driving mission for here.

The space is amazing - externally the waterside location makes it a beautiful place to be - especially on a sunny day when it feels like you’re on holiday. Inside, I feel like I’m in a New York gallery - it’s bringing the vibes! Mainly due to the contemporary exposed ceiling which allows light to flood in creating a perfect stage for the artists who exhibit here. 

The current artist of the month is Lou Hamilton with her exhibition ‘Aerial Abstractions’ and the next artist for August is Darcy Whent with her exhibition ‘On all fours’.

The space is also available for creatives to use as they wish. Presently it’s used for creative workshops and yoga and pilates classes. I can’t wait to see how it evolves and how people choose to use it in the future, it’s such a dynamic, light space which makes it incredibly versatile - plus, with 100 square foot to play with it’s really adaptable. 

I’m also keen to support local makers - I sell a sunglasses range by Valeye London, the founder of which lives up the road. I also have a lovely local lady who makes jewellery under the name Qlemontine, and a candle brand called ‘Bell & Finch;’ they repurpose vintage glasses into candles. I’m very careful with how I curate the ranges, I really want everything to be special and to complement the space. 

I’ve settled in really well - I was so keen to get started, getting the keys and opening four days later! I’ve the Ballymore team to thank for that - their painters helped me get ready in time. I can’t wait to meet more creatives and evolve my own business here.