We are thrilled to finally share the exciting news that the V&A Museum has acquired The Last Pot (Saint Sebastian), 2020 by Leah Jensen following her deeply moving and acclaimed Brain Tumour Book exhibition curated by Cavaliero Finn at the Fitzrovia Chapel in April this year. This is a dream come true for Leah and we couldn't be happier, particularly as it is such a significant work in her Brain Tumour journey.
Thank you to Alun Graves for visiting our Brain Tumour Book exhibition and for making this happen.
This vessel, inspired by Sandro Botticelli's St. Sebastian, 1474, was built and carved in 2020 as Leah Jensen waited for a craniotomy to remove a brain tumour. This procedure held a risk of paralysis, while carving Leah wondered if this would be the last pot.
It remains forever unfinished as she ran out of time before the operation date arrived. It stayed unfired for the three years she spent in treatment and recovery. It was carefully transported through two house moves, areas of the carving damaged by the damp conditions of the flats in which Leah lived. When Leah was able to move back into a studio, it was finally fired. She did not imagine that it would survive due to all the moving around, but fortunately it did, with the damage preserved, bearing the delicate pin points on the unfinished areas much like an eroded and damaged renaissance fresco.
The Fitzrovia Chapel was the perfect setting to preview this deeply personal exhibition and the feedback has been overwhelming. We very much hope this exhibition can tour so more people are able to experience the work and the plight of those experiencing this illness can be understood with much needed funds raised for The Brain Tumour Charity.
Donate to raise funds for this charitable exhibition to tour and for the Brain Tumour Charity. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/braintumourbookcharityfundraisingexhibition
Exhibition images by Robert Chadwick.
