It was Lost in the Move
This ceramic sculpture was made for the 2025 British Ceramics Bienniel. It confronts the far reaching effects of the housing crisis and contemplates how it effects us all. It is made completely by Leah Jensen predominantly in terracotta ceramic, but also includes a few found objects, some textile pieces and some other ceramics.
Sculpture statement
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I realised recently there is a white noise of thought throughout my life that is the deciding factor in most of my decisions. Simplified to a single question, but what if I have to move?’
Leah Jensen is currently 35 and has lived in 21 different situations. It was Lost in the Move communicates some of the anxieties of insecure housing and considers the larger impact that the housing shortage is having on society. The work draws upon her own experience and that of countless other desperate situations, both domestically and internationally.
Juxtapositions speak of how the different classes live and what a property means to each. Other imagery hints at stress, chaos, loss and grief. An empty tortoise shell is an empty home, but the emptiness tells you of loss and pain. Launderette bags look packed in a hurry. Abandoned painting and cleaning equipment shout of urgency and memories of often futile attempts to get back a deposit. Unhung picture frames hint at not wanting to get too comfortable, just in case. Piled in the corner on the floor waiting. To hang them would be tempting fate.'
It was Lost in the Move commences a socially engaged path to Leah’s practice, realising an idea which has developed with each move. The installation asks ‘What is a home? Is it safety, security, income or investment?’ The intentionally haphazard display induces a subtle feeling of unease.
Leah’s predominant ceramic practice draws on Renaissance art for its inspiration and in a common thread to this sculpture, she considered the symbolism within Renaissance art and the conversations around the various interpretations they spark. Within Leah’s sculpture are objects that intend to induce speculation on the relevance to housing insecurity, leading to wider conversation.
‘It was lost in the move’ draws from Jensen's personal eprience but its not about her, it is a contemplation on the far reaching effects of the housing crisis and how it effects each one of us.
The composition of the sculpture is intentionally messy and frantic to evoke a sense of stress but look closer at the small details other stories emerge
This idea comes from Renaissance art, where depth and context is given to the narrative of painting through the use of symbolism
The intention is for the audience to look at these objects and speculate as to how they relate to the housing crisis, initiating further conversation and a catharsis in sharing personal experience