Malia Jensen

Wrecking Pet (Guinea Pig #2)  2006

It is with great pleasure that the Elizabeth Leach Gallery presents the gallery’s first one-person
exhibition of recent work by Malia Jensen. Currently based in New York, this Northwest native
has strong ties to Portland, Oregon. Jensen is a graduate of Pacific Northwest College of Art
and was the first regional artist to be the focus of a solo exhibition at PICA, the Portland Institute
of Contemporary Art.

In this exhibition Jensen takes a leap in materials, utilizing bronze with paint and patina for her
recent sculpture. Also on view will be a selection of works on paper that demonstrate her skill
as a draftsman as well as her humor.

Jensen is best known for her representations of animals, employed as characters and foils in
her exploration of complicated relationship. She is compelled by the mystery of life, not by concrete
answers, but by the richness of ambiguity. This new work reflects her quest and alludes to the
difficulties and unpleasant truths that are uncovered in her delving. Jensen’s works are often
read as narratives but she prefers to see them as “situations” that command a visceral response.
Her work is playful and humorous with dark undertones that lead us to a state of uneasiness.

Jensen achieves this both visually and verbally through her representations of the animal world
and her clever use of language. Word play is an integral part of her work lending conflicting and
confusing messages that uncover multiple layers of meaning.

Malia Jensen’s new work is perhaps the most nuanced we have seen and ironically the most powerful.

This exhibition will open with a First Thursday reception on May 4, 2006 from 6 – 9 PM and
continues through May 27, 2006. The artist will be present for the First Thursday reception.