Tracy Watkins

Born and brought up in Pembrokeshire I went to Carmarthen College of Art to study a foundation in art and design then on to Middlesex University, North London to follow a degree in furniture design, working for a London furniture and accessories designer before returning to university to complete a Masters degree in design. Inspired by the natural qualities of leather I use the individual character of the hide as the basis for my work. The leather I work with are industry offcuts, complete with hallmarks, scratches and scars – a testament to the natural origin of the product. I use the whole hide, even the bits marked in the tanning process, so nothing is wasted. Leather upholstery creates a huge amount of waste, perfectly usable pieces that are scrapped just because they may have a defect in an inconvenient place. I see beauty in these 'defects'. I tend to play with the hide, folding, creasing, using the texture and markings to dictate the form the product will take. Every bag is individually made, full or character and no one item ever the same.