Maria Miesenberger: Leap of Faith (Getting Over)

Miesenberger has exhibited extensively in Sweden and internationally. Her works are represented in public collections including Moderna Museet, the Hasselblad Foundation, Malmö Konstmuseum, and the Public Art Agency Sweden.

Leap of Faith – an illustration of SSE’s educational mission

Text adapted from Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics (June 2020)

SSE’s educational mission is to prepare students to navigate an uncertain and changing world. The School’s educational mission, FREE, emphasizes a fact- and science-based mindset, reflection and self-awareness, empathy and cultural literacy, and an entrepreneurial and responsible approach to society.

Maria Miesenberger’s sculpture can be understood in relation to these ideas. The figure appears suspended in motion, performing a leap that is both playful and demanding. The work evokes movement, risk, discipline, and trust in one’s own abilities.

The title, Leap of Faith, references the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who described the importance of moving beyond reflection and taking action despite uncertainty. In this sense, the sculpture becomes a reflection on courage, learning, and the willingness to embrace the unknown.

The work also suggests that growth and achievement are processes rather than fixed states. Progress requires experimentation, persistence, and the ability to learn from uncertainty.

Placed at the heart of the School, Leap of Faith (Getting Over) serves as a reminder of the role education can play in preparing individuals to make informed decisions, take responsible risks, and engage confidently with the future.