Tracy Watts’ idiosyncratic paintings provide a psychological confrontational, and at times emotive response to the figurative in art. Her nudes and portraits are instantly recognisable in style. At times approaching the self as both creator and subjective feminine she provides representations of art historic narratives plunged into modernity. Strong female characters, derived from literary, biblical and mythological sources, confront the viewer. In the last few years Watts’ new body of work has turned towards portraiture with a flourish of flamboyance and attitude. Entitled ‘Special People’. Her muses entice her with their strength, individuality and talents. All creatives. From the visual arts, music, performance art, burlesque she captures their souls.
Born in Oldham she drew prolifically, and this was a clear life direction. Her early artistic training in the town developed her portraiture, early influences being Rembrandt, the distorted imagery of Egon Schiele and the narrative constructs of Spencer.
Watts’ contextual passion came to the fore whilst studying for a MA Degree in Painting. Researching the subject matter and contextual symbolics, as well as aesthetics of the Renaissance and Mannerists. Opening up her narrative imagination onto the visual plane. Inheriting not only stories from the past painters, but also symbolic content. Such as Foliage, landscapes, still life objects and animals.
Watts’ has exhibited widely in both solo and group shows, in the UK and Internationally. In 2005 she won the prestigious International Open Art prize. In 2013 she was invited to create work for the celebration of Autou Frederic Bouabre in French Columbia. Her robust female nudes have made her popular inclusion in International Women’s Day exhibitions and feminist dialogue shows. In 2019 she joined the esteemed Flux Exhibition in London.
