About Laura
Laura Nyahuye is a creative visionary. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, based in Coventry, UK. A mother, a multi-disciplinary artist, storyteller, designer/maker, writer, poet, curator, performer, changemaker and advocate. Her work sits in multiple spaces, including galleries, political think tanks, summits, evaluation processes, theatre, fashion, sport, community spaces, and In commercial use.
Heavily influenced by her African heritage, Laura uses centuries-old textile handicrafts to create striking sculptural body adornments and ready-to-wear pieces. Laura’s body adornments are a form of storytelling that celebrates and challenges negative perceptions of women.
“Some people would refer to my work as “Wearable Art”; however, I produce it as “Wearable Stories” These stories mean a lot to me.” Wearable Stories explores migrant women’s experiences, as well as creative, visual, and visceral responses to their backgrounds, centred around social issues affecting women and migrant communities, such as marginalisation, discrimination, and under-representation. Wearable stories tell of the tensions, joys, sorrows, pain, confusion, exhaustion and triumphs of being woman, the notion of being a resilient migrant woman in our contemporary society.
“I integrate stories into everything that I am making; it’s the cut, the design and the materials. Its the whole process; throughout, I am telling stories, and they are woven directly into the pieces themselves. Stories that are passed down from generation to generation, stories of heritage, humanity and our roots. Stories celebrating women, solidarity and love.”
Laura’s work seeks to find the common thread that connects humans from all backgrounds, creating a culture of solidarity and coexistence among humans from ALL tribes. Working with the conviction and belief that women are thermostats and heartbeats in communities around the globe. Every one of her designs is a story within a story.
Notable works
Lead Designer for the Queen Elizabeth II Baton (Commonwealth Games 2022), was also featured in Design Week, which attracted millions & multiple news channels
Shared her story of her craft, storytelling & sustainability (2024) at the University of the Arts London
Collaborated with Tom Piper MBE (British Award-winning Theatre Designer) in the 2021 Faith Project, supported by the City of Culture (2021-2022), to design and make a sculptural piece displayed in the Coventry Cathedral ruins
Contributed an essay, “Through The Key Hole”, to the BBC Postcards from Coventry (2021)
TEDx speaker and performer (2020)
Exhibitions Curator, “Prophecy”, co-curated & exhibited my artwork at Warwick Arts Centre (2022)
Did you know Laura is…
The founder and leader of Maokwo, creating pathways & building legacies for marginalised migrant communities.
On boards including The Refugee Week Advisory Board, Talking Birds, The West Midlands Combined Authority Cultural Leadership Board and Margate School.
A mentor to artists from migrant communities; Mentees have secured jobs, enrolled at university, awarded scholarships, launched businesses, & published books.