Peter Grove
← Biographies · Hamilton · Tundra Leather · Leather 2013 exhibitor
This page is a biography of Peter Grove. The Society’s own record of Peter Grove — the offices held, the standings conferred and the awards won — is on the register page.
From the exhibition brochure for Leather 2013 — Creative Versatility, the Society’s show at the Woodstock Art Gallery, 12 January to 2 March 2013, for which each exhibitor supplied an artist statement, a biography and a note on every piece shown. Set out here as printed.
As a 10-year old boy, Peter was introduced to leatherwork in the public school system. It was the beginning of a life-long passion. At the age of 21, Peter went to work for the Tandy Leather Company and started his own venture, Tundra Leather.
Peter's use of carving, as a leather decoration, has been formed by countless hours at the bench, and exposure to some of the best carvers in North America. When he returned from the Rocky Mountain Leather Show, in 2000, he resolved to design his own Canadian style Sheridan carvings.
Peter is generous with his time, leading workshops and teaching private classes. He is a mentor to the members of the Hamilton Leather Guild and the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft (CSCL). Peter is a Fellow of the CSCL and has held office as Director and President of their Executive Council.
Peter's work is available for viewing and sale at his shop, Tundra Leather, in Hamilton, Ontario or at www.tundraleather.ca.
(Peter Grove's biography was written by Lauchlan Harrison)
The pieces shown at Leather 2013
Santa Belt. This is my version of "Santa's Belt". The buckle for this project has been formulating in my mind for many years. Not until early 2010, was I able to have my drawings turned into an original master buckle and then have sample casts created. This is one of only two such buckles that exist.
My Santa belt had to be more than the traditional plain 4" strap. The Tim Allen movie, The Santa Clause, brought the realization that Santa's belt could be brown.
The graphic design needed to draw upon my infatuation with Western carving. The interlaced holly leaves and scalloped border allowed the combining of the Christmas theme and the Western style of carving. The natural leather lining provided appropriate stiffness for the belt, and also a colour-neutral lining against potentially expensive Santa suits; no dye transfer here! The red piped edge, and red stitching, provided a pleasing blend of the brown belt and Santa's red suit. Attaching the buckle, with a serpentine leather lacing pattern, allowed for a strong attachment without the use of unsightly hardware. Many years of thought, and 20 hours of work, resulted in "Santa's Belt".
From the exhibition brochure for Leather 2013 — Creative Versatility, preserved in the Society’s archive. The brochure is the source for every word above; nothing has been added to it.