Marjorie Dial solo exhibition MATERIA ANIMA, is now open at the Helzer Gallery.
“The title of this exhibition, MATERIA ANIMA, is based on the Latin philosophical concept meaning “life force in matter”. Jane Bennett, who wrote the 2011 book Vibrant Matter on art and materiality, calls this “thing power”. Dial works with a lexicon of vessel forms: transmitters, receivers, warnings, and storage vessels. The transmitter sculptures in this exhibition, variously sized antennae-shaped vessels topped with bowls of molten glass and gemstones, occupy corners, form clusters, and are all placed directly on the floor without a pedestal, as if connected to the earth by a current. A series of three “Sentinels”, black monitor screen-like forms with aggressively pulled and dragged clay, are arranged at the entrance, inviting the viewer into a kind of center of power. Dial has also shared a grouping of five large storage vessels titled Provisions. The vessels are made from bands of clay borrowed from off-cuts from other vessels, and patched together seams out, like an inside-out dress shirt. In the arrangement, Dial is evoking hoards, or caches of vessels discovered in archeological sites, which were made up of containers of fuel, grain, water, wine, seeds, honey, and everything that was needed to survive. Symmetrically opposite to Provisions, Dial has placed Dreadnaught, a black, unyielding battleship form evoking a void. Thus, life and death occupy opposite ends of the gallery.”
More information HERE
MATERIA ANIMA
Helzer Gallery, Portland Community College, Building 3
17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229
Dates: November 24, 2025 – March 6, 2026
Artist talk and gallery reception: Tuesday, January 20, 11am-12 noon
Gallery hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm; Saturdays by appointment (free parking)
