Brain Tumour Book: Art, Resilience & Hope with Artist Leah Jensen

Join artist Leah Jensen in person to explore the art, resilience, and hope behind the Brain Tumour Book. A panel discussion organised by the Women in Art Prize CIC, between the artist Leah Jensen, the curators Juliana Cavaliero, Debra Finn (founders of Cavaliero Finn) and Sumi Perera (doctor, scientist & artists - SuPerPress Editions) about Leah’s “Brain Tumour Book” and other artefacts she developed before, during and after the diagnosis of a brain tumour diagnosed during lockdown. Following on from a successful solo exhibition by Leah Jensen at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London 17th – 26th April 2026, Leah has received much appreciation for this powerful, poignant and poetic recording, a visual diary of her feelings that helped her deal with the sudden life-threatening diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This panel talk will highlight her practice as an acclaimed ceramicist represented by Cavaliero Finn prior to her illness, which dramatically changed by obvious circumstances during her hospitalisation. When Leah picked a more practical method of intricately stitching beautiful, layered thoughts while lying in bed. This visual diary of disparate pages of various techniques and materials were her attempts to cope with her anxieties, trepidations and fears she encountered during a life-threatening illness that struck her during an unprecedented, troubling time for everyone, during the Covid virus pandemic. This talk will also highlight the importance of early detection, diagnosis and treatment that saved her life, to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of signs and symptoms. It will also discuss the dire social circumstances surrounding her precarious housing issues, the importance that the free National Health Service (NHS) provided her with life-saving interventions and also the importance of the staunch family support she received. To quote Leah: “I swapped clay for textiles, something I could do from bed. It became an absolute necessity for me, and genuinely aided my recovery. I often found myself wondering, what do people who don’t make things do with their time? How do they cope?’ I felt so fortunate. It occurred to me recently that ever since I was a young child I have turned to making for escapism from difficult situations.” Leah Jensen This talk would also like to stress the importance of raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity and applaud Leah and Cavaliero Finn in their attempts to raise some money already. This is also another opportunity to see some of the remarkable works made by Leah which will be displayed at Burgh House. Donate to raise funds for this charitable exhibition and the Brain Tumour Charity. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/braintumourbookcharityfundraisingexhibition Image credit: Images courtesy of Cavaliero Finn, from the exhibition Revisit: Brain Tumour Book – Artist Leah Jensen, curated by Cavaliero Finn. https://cavalierofinn.com/exhibitions/45-revisit-brain-tumour-book-artist-leah-jensens-curated-by-cavaliero-finn/ Speakers Biography: Leah Jensen A multidisciplinary artist-maker, born in Cornwall, 1990 who has Finnish ancestry and roots. She did a Degree in Contemporary Crafts at Falmouth University in 2010. She lives in London, working from a space at Cockpit Studios. Cavaliero Finn Cavaliero Finn was set up in 2004 by the founders Juliana Cavaliero and Debra Finn, who first met at Warwick University studying art. Juliana Cavaliero spent ten years in the contemporary art world including the Anthony D’Offay Gallery in London and Debra Finn spent ten years in PR ending up within the Virgin Group. The gallery has placed work in several museum collections including The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery and the Manchester Art Gallery. Sumi Perera An award winning post-disciplinary artist (MA Camberwell, University of the Arts, London 2004) academic and curator, who taught at Middlesex University and short courses at the Royal Academy. She also worked as a doctor in Sri Lanka and a virologist who studied (MSc & MPhil) and worked as a research associate at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.