MY BRAIN TUMOUR BOOK
LEAH JENSEN - ART DOCUMENTARY - CLIENT | CAVALIERO FINN - APRIL 26
[SYNOPSIS]
In September 2020 artist Leah Jensen was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Unable to continue working with clay during her recovery, she began documenting her thoughts, fears and experiences through embroidery. What started as a way of processing a life-changing diagnosis gradually became an ongoing body of work known as My Brain Tumour Book.
Created for Cavaliero Finn, this documentary follows Leah's journey through diagnosis, treatment and the uncertainty that continues to accompany each scan and check-up. Through interviews and close observation of her artwork, the film explores how creativity can become a tool for resilience, reflection and acceptance.
The film accompanied the exhibition Brain Tumour Book – Artist Leah Jensen's Journey Through Cancer Diagnosis to Treatment at Fitzrovia Chapel, raising awareness and support for The Brain Tumour Charity.
[TRANSCRIPT]
"At about three o'clock in the morning, a nurse came into the cubicle and told me that they were quite sure I had a brain tumour.
I really wanted to capture exactly how I felt in that moment. From the hospital bed, I watched the parakeets in the trees and thought about dying. This was the beginning of the whole journey.
I treated the book as a diary. It was a way to get thoughts and feelings out of my brain. The repetitive process of stitching became something to focus on that wasn't how ill I felt.
Making has always been a form of comfort and escapism for me. In those moments, the world exists between my head and my hands, and there isn't really anything else going on."
[CAST + CREW]
Produced / Directed / Camera / Edited: Lucy Steel
Directed / Sound / Editing / Animation: Cameron Doig
Artist: Leah Jensen
Client: Cavaliero Finn
Project Type: Documentary Film
Location: London
Year: 2026