Joshua Leon

Joshua Leon is a poet, writer, and visual artist. Taking lamentation as a space of critical engagement, his text-led processes produce exhibitions and performances that bind memoir with historical research. For his Chisenhale Gallery commission, and most expansive site-sensitive installation to date, Leon explores the misnomers, erasures, and disquiet held in the building’s history, binding them with those of his own family. Spanning sculpture and sound, Leon’s new installation trace a collapsing of memories and histories to offer a nuanced exploration of Jewish identity, where absence and ellipses transition from socially imposed to politically intentional. Leon’s first publication is being developed alongside the commission.

Joshua Leon is a writer, poet, and artist based in London. Selected exhibitions include: Itinéraire Fantôme, CAPC, Bordeaux (2024); Presque Partout, 49 Nord 6 Est – Frac Lorraine, Metz (2024); Archive as…, Kunstverein München, Munich (2023); Revision, Peer Gallery, London (2022); Post, Barbican, London (2022); Expo en boîte, 49 Nord 6 Est – Frac Lorraine, Metz (2022); Governmental Fires, Futura, Prague (2021); Loose Routes Along the Familiar, Madonna del Pozzo, Spoleto (2021); Attendance(s) Close to the Close, Daily Practice, Rotterdam (2020); The Same Tendency, Summer Hall Place, Edinburgh (2019); and Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, Berlin Biennale, Berlin (2018).

The Missing O and E is commissioned and produced by Chisenhale Gallery, London.

Lead Supporters: Federal Ministry Republic of Austria – Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport and Bianca Roden.

With additional support from the Austrian Cultural Forum and Chisenhale Gallery Commissions Fund.

Chisenhale Gallery's Schools' Programme 2024 is made possible through the generosity of Goodman Gallery and Freelands Foundation.

The Chisenhale Gallery Curatorial Fellowship 2023–24 is supported by the Terra Foundation of American Art.

The 2023–24 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellow is hosted by Chisenhale Gallery.

Joshua Leon’s publication The Process is co-published by Chisenhale Gallery and Mousse Publishing. With the generous support of Bianca Roden, Frank Bowling and Rachel Scott.