Tracey Emin was born in 1963 in Croydon, and grew up in Margate. She had a traumatic childhood and teenage life: experiences that have fuelled much of her autobiographical work. She completed her Fine Art degree at Maidstone College of Art in 1986 before going on to study at the Royal College of Art, where she was awarded an MA in Painting in 1989. In 1999 she was nominated for the Turner Prize with her controversial piece entitled My Bed. In 2007 she represented Britain in the Venice Biennale and was also elected a Royal Academician.

“Pandas are incredibly sweet and cute; from that point of view taking part in the project was irresistible. But on the serious side I passionately care about wildlife and anything that makes people aware of the damage that we are doing to this planet, and that what we can do to save it, is worthwhile.”  - Tracey Emin