ANIMAL HANDMADE By Michelle Johnson Photography by Kelly Leggett
At first glance, Animal Handmade’s embossed leather bags, clutches and wallets are undeniably beautiful. Each textured panel features a meticulous motif inspired by scenes from the natural world, like cranes in repose, pouncing leopards and starry night skies. But take a closer look and eerie intricacies begin to appear: the leopard is pouncing to escape from a tangle of rope; the crane is stabbing itself with its own beak; the constellations are falling from sky to earth. It’s this fine line between beauty and melancholy that fuels the metaphorical art of Ava Goldberg, the creative force behind Animal Handmade. Handcrafted out of a shared studio space in north Denver, each of Goldberg’s “animals” alludes to moments of internal struggle or tension. We sat down with the artist and maker to delve into the creative process and philosophy behind her work.