‘They say she drinks’

Work Not For Sale

‘They say she drinks’ by Leesa Espener relates to a deeply personal exploration of the social and political consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Drawing a parallel between the spread of viral information and COVID19, it aims to be a visual representation of this era, focusing on the mouth, and challenging how we approached these unique circumstances.

 

Tin sheet, embossed and shaped to show traditional stylings of Baccus, God of wine. A lot of people dealt with lockdown and other problems by drinking. Left unfinished round the edges showing fragility paired with roughness.

 

Materials: tin. Measurements: 510 x 1 x 12 cm.

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Artist Bio

Leesa’s body of work relates to a deeply personal exploration of the social and political consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Drawing a parallel between the spread of viral information and COVID19, it aims to be a visual representation of this era, focusing on the mouth, and challenging how we approached these unique circumstances. An often satirical look at contemporary issues affecting us while expressing the challenging social landscape and exploration of political commentary. Leesa draws inspiration from past and current social and political reality to engage and provoke. Utilising a variety of materials to convey subject matter and concepts, she hopes to question how we interact with the influx of media and the world around us.

 

Her work is deeply personal, touching on mental health, domestic abuse, love, pain and grief. Her approach is often experimental, pushing the limitations and expectations of materials to express ideas and emotions to make them tangible. Many of the works are the result of taking an often abstract concept or memory and examining it through a lens of retrospection and honesty.

 

Leesa previously manufactured facial prosthesis as manager of a maxillofacial laboratory in the NHS. This background provides an awareness and sensitivity to pain and anxiety in other and an appreciation of different materials and techniques.