About
Leah Jensen is a multidisciplinary artist-maker, born in Cornwall, 1990.
Fortunate to be raised in a creative family, her education in art and making began in childhood, learning both the creative and practical applications of a broad range of materials.
In 2010 Leah began her Degree in Contemporary Crafts at Falmouth University, where she would develop a method that has since evolved to become a signature style. This process involves an image mapping technique that enables her to carve intricate geometric interpretations of Renaissance paintings into ceramic pots. The result is a work of vivid, immaculate detail as if to appear digitally manufactured, a style which Jensen playfully describes as ‘anti-digital’.
"While making, I feel at my most content when using my hands directly with the material and focusing on small details. In these moments the world is between my head and my hands. I recently observed that over the years I subconsciously abandoned machinery, I do not throw pots, I no longer use a wood lathe, I use a sewing machine only when its the logical option. Perhaps it feels as though machines are a distraction, a barrier to gaining understanding of the material."
Today Leah lives in London, working from a space at Cockpit Studios. She continues to carve ceramic vessels, whilst working on a number of other projects.
For Jensen the starting point is either an idea that surfaces usually while making and daydreaming, or from a desire to use a certain material. Experimentation, sketchbook work and daydreaming are all vital steps in the progression of a project to determine the techniques and materials that will serve the idea best.
Upcoming Exhibitions and Events
16th May, 2024
Live demonstration at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London
As part of London Craft Week
11th - 18th May, 2024
'20 years of Cavaliero Finn' at Stockwell Studio, London
Presented by Cavaliero Finn as Part of London Craft Week
21st - 23rd June, 2024
Open Studios at Cockpit Studios Deptford, London
Selected Past Exhibitions
2024
'Plates with Purpose' at Messums West, Wiltshire
2021
'Crafting a Difference' at the Argentine Ambassador's Official Residence in London
Presented by Cavaliero Finn as part of London Craft Week
2020
'Homo Faber 2020' at San Giorgio, Venice
Presented by The Michelangelo Foundation and Cavaliero Finn
2020
'Focus/20' at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London
Presented by Cavaliero Finn
2020
'Collect' at Somerset House, London
Presented by The Crafts Council and Cavaliero Finn
2019
'Alter' at The Fitzrovia Chapel, London
Presented by Cavaliero Finn
2018
'British Craft: The Miami Edit', at The New Craftsmen Mayfair, London
Presented by The New Craftsmen and The Crafts Council
2017
'British Craft: The Miami Edit', at Form Miami, Miami, Florida
Presented by The New Craftsmen and The Crafts Council
2017
'Leah Jensen On Show', at Chalayan Store, Mayfair, London
2017
'Leah Jensen: On Show' at The New Craftsmen, Mayfair, London
Presented by The New Craftsmen as part of London Craft Week
2017
'Contemporary Living: Art, Craft & Design' at Christie's, South Kensington, London
Presented by Christie's and The New Craftsmen
2015
'Craft and Ingenuity' at The New Craftsmen, Mayfair, London
Presented by The New Craftsmen as part of The London Design Festival
Collections
2019
'Work' - A ceramic vessel commissioned by Manchester Art Gallery, on display in the permanent collection.
Funded by The Contemporary Art Society
Awards
2019
Whitegold International Ceramic prize - Shortlisted
2016
Cockpit Studios Clear Award