Dr Kate Pickering is a London based artist, writer and Associate Lecturer in Fine Art Critical Studies and Art Writing in the Department of Art at Goldsmiths. She researches how the ecological, more-than-human body experiences sacred sites through performative rituals, vocalisation and story-telling, in particular how contemporary artists are taking up devotional cultures and practices to produce decolonial, feminist, queer and ecologically oriented worlds. Pickering’s research is shared within her teaching practice and through scholarly writing, creative-critical writing and performance. Her PhD dissertation (completed 2023) examined how the immersive, multi-sensory culture of Lakewood, North America’s largest church, acts as a ‘total work of art’ in destabilised ecological, eschatological and racial contexts. Alongside this she produced 'There is a Miracle in Your Mouth', an experimental non-fiction book based on her research and a series of site-based performance scripts. ‘There is a Miracle’ moves between the dis/believing body of an exvangelical, a spectacular Texan evangelical megachurch caught in the midst of a hurricane and a fourteenth century anchorite cell in which St. Julian of Norwich is permanently enclosed. Her research is distinct in addressing how a body experiences a sense of dis/orientation and reorientation within religious sites. Through a decolonial, feminist and materialist approach, she contributes to religious visual cultures, environmental humanities and art writing.

A recent peer-reviewed book chapter has been included in 'Fieldwork for Future Ecologies: Radical practice for art and art-based research' (2022), in which Pickering outlined her artistic research methodologies. Additionally, a peer reviewed chapter focussing on white evangelical apocalyptic imaginaries and climate science denialism is included in 'Imagining the Apocalypse' by Courtauld Books Online (2022). Her prose-poetry was recently published in the anthology ‘Corroding the Now’ (Veer Books) and a creative-critical text is forthcoming in the 'Writing in Creative Practice' Journal.

Pickering graduated with an MFA in Art Practice from Goldsmiths College in 2009, and has since exhibited nationally and internationally. Her writing has featured in various publications, including Soanyway magazine, Misery Connoisseur, EROS journal, Yellow Pages (Copy Press) and K[]NESH Space, and performed at Peckham Pelican, X Marks Le Bokship, Library Gallery (Winnipeg, Canada) and the ICA. She has presented her research at conferences at Goldsmiths, Birkbeck, the Courtauld and the University of Essex.

In addition to working individually, Pickering also co-runs Peer Sessions, an Arts Council England funded peer critique project founded in 2009, with artist Charlotte Warne Thomas. She has previously collaborated with artists Emily Rosamond and Steven Ounanian, producing text, performance, video and sculpture, and delivering public writing workshops as the School of the Event Horizon, and co-run 'The Writing for Practice Forum' with artists Rowena Harris and Katarina Rankovic, a peer led discursive space to gain feedback on imaginative or experimental approaches with text-based material for artists and practice based researchers. Pickering has also been an artist in residence at Bexley Council Children’s Services, and has worked with children and young people in care in Bexley, Rotherham, Croyden and Southampton Councils. Through a variety of projects she facilitates the creation of text based artworks, photography and video as a means for the councils to hear the voice of children within the care system and raise their profile.

Forthcoming:

Journal article: (2023 tbc) 'Ink Sack (For Bridget)' Journal of Writing in Creative Practice, ISSN 17535190 , ONLINE ISSN 17535204, Intellect Books.

 

Education:

2016 - 2023. PhD - Art and Visual Cultures, theory and practice: ‘Lakewood Megachurch: Bodily Dis/Orientations in a Climate of Belief.’ Goldsmiths, University of London (AHRC/ CHASE scholarship). Supervisors: Professor Michael Newman, Professor Kristen Kreider and Dr Bridget Crone.

2019 - 2020. Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Goldsmiths, University of London (Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy).

2006 - 2009. M.F.A - Masters in Art Practice, Goldsmiths, University of London. (Merit with distinction for studio practice, dissertation: ‘Belief in an Age of Disbelief: Post-Critique, Post-Secularism and Over-Identification’).

2002 - 2005. B.A. Hons. Degree Fine Art, Sheffield Hallam University. (2:1 with distinction for dissertation: ‘Transfiguring the Profane: Catholic Artists and Corporeality’).

1999 - 2000. PGCE Secondary Art and Design, Bretton Hall, University of Leeds. (Pass with Qualified Teacher Status).

1995 - 1998. B.A. Hons. Degree in History, University of Sheffield. (2:1 with distinction for dissertation: “Exotic and Primitive’ Influences on the Modernist Movement in European Art and Design from 1870 to 1914’).

Publications:

Book chapters

2022. ‘Writing a Body of Belief: There is a Miracle in Your Mouth’ in Fieldwork for Future Ecologies (Eds. Bridget Crone, Sam Nightingale & Polly Stanton, published by Onomatopee).

2021. ‘Weird Atmospheres and Biblical Floods: The Inundation of the American Megachurch’ in Imagining the Apocalypse (Eds. Dr. Edwin Coomasaru and Theresa Deichert, Courtauld Books Online)

Journal articles

2020. ‘Expanding Religious Crowds: Bodily Dis/Orientations within the American Megachurch’ in Crowd(ed) Futures Special issue of Coils of the Serpent Journal.

2018 & 2020. ‘The Baobab and the Megachurch’ in K[]NESH Space (Issue 01: Scale, Print Edition and online publication)

Art journals/ publications

2023 ‘Plot Holes’ and ‘Megachurch Inverted 2’ in Corroding the Now Anthology (Eds. Stephen Mooney, Francis Gene-Rowe & Richard Parker, published by Veer Books).

2021. ‘There is a Miracle in Your Mouth’ (extracts) in Goldsmiths Art Research programme publication project.

2021. ‘Building as Body,’ an online text publication for Shelter House, a solo show by artist Grace Crothall at The Physics Room, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2020. ‘Cell’ in Soanywaymagazine (Issue 6: LIQUIDITY >|< VESSEL)

2018. ‘Cell’ in Yellow Papers, a Copy Press publication.

2015. ‘Akrasia’ (collaborative text and images by School of the Event Horizon) in EROS (Edition VI).

2014. ‘Untitled’ (collaborative text and images by School of the Event Horizon) in point of divergence: before breakfast conversations, a Tenderpixel publication.

2013. ‘Hyperkulturemia’ in Misery Connoisseur magazine Issue 2.

2010. ‘This Work’ (text) and ‘We Will Make a Way’ (images) in Dual Mirage publication project by Hyemin Son, London and Seoul, Korea.

Conference & symposium presentations:

23rd April 2021. ‘There is a Miracle in Your Mouth’ at (Taking) Care in the Climate Crisis, an online CHASE Research Conference.

13th November 2020. ‘There is a Miracle in Your Mouth’ at the Religion and Art online symposium, Goldsmiths.

29th May 2020. ‘There is a Miracle in Your Mouth’ at Occupying the InBetween, an online Anti-Conference for MARs (The Mountain of Arts Research), Goldsmiths.

18th & 19th October 2019. ‘Weird Atmospheres and Biblical Floods: Inundation in the American Megachurch’ at the Imagining the Apocalypse Conference, Courtauld Institute of Art.

14th June 2019. ‘Weirding the Megachurch: Bodily Dis/Orientation and Belief’ at Futures of The Real Conference, Goldsmiths.

12th & 13th April 2019. ‘Weirding the Megachurch: Bodily Dis/Orientation and Belief’ at Corroding the Now: Poetry and Science Fiction Conference, Birkbeck University.

25th November 2017.  ‘Bodily foundations: Enmeshments in the American megachurch’ at Post-Truth & American Myths Conference, University of Essex.

9th June 2017. ‘Saline Solution’ at Endgames, a GLITS (Goldsmiths Literature Seminar) Conference, Goldsmiths.

10th March 2017. ‘Roe vs. Wade and the Rise of the Religious Right’ at TigerSprung, a Goldsmiths Art PhD Research Symposium, Goldsmiths.

Performances, readings, talks:

21st April 2023. Murmuring Matter: On the Cosmopolitics of Materials, Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht. Performance lecture: Building a Body of Belief

4th August 2020. Liquid Worlds - online reading and discussion with Bridget Crone, Ayesha Hamid and Lucy A. Sames, part of the 'Universes' talk series curated by Daniel Sean Kelly for Leicester Gallery. Watch here.

18th December 2019. Chaos & Creation - reading of ‘Plot Holes’ by actor Sam Marc Parkinson for a Haven event at St. Pancras Church, London.

16th February 2019. Mimesis; Narrative; Against hegemony! - reading of ‘Plot Holes’ for a Peer Sessions exhibition at APT Gallery, Deptford, London.

19th November 2018. CHASE Encounters Conference - reading of ‘Cell’ at the Barbican, London.

1st June 2018. Wild Kind MARs (Mountain of Art Research) event - performative reading of ‘The Fat Trunk of the Baobab’ at Goldsmiths, London.

1st June 2018. Wild Kind MARs (Mountain of Art Research) event - reading of ‘Plot Holes’ at Goldsmiths, London.

8th February 2018. I Without Guarantees - preformative reading of ‘Cell’ for a Copy Press event at The Island Queen, Islington, London.

15th December 2017. If On a Winter’s Night: 9 Artists, 9 Carols - performative reading with choral accompaniment of ‘Plot Holes’ at St. Mary's Church, Walthamstow, London.

5th October 2017. Immurement - performative reading with sound installation of ‘Cell’ for an Art Research Seminar, Laurie Grove Baths, Goldsmiths, London.

23rd September 2017. Collaboration in Question - participation in a panel discussion on collaborative artistic practice for Future Refrains a Peer Sessions exhibition, ASC Gallery, London.

23rd June 2017. Empathy Structure - performative reading with sound and props for Goldsmiths Art PhD installation series in the Goldsmiths' Ben Pimlott Building Stairwell, London.

23rd April 2017. If you fall asleep you will be woken gently - reading of ‘Saline Solution’ for World Book Night at Goldsmiths Library, London.

25th November 2016. Speaking Through Stones - reading of ‘Ballast’ for Goldsmiths Art PhD research symposium, London.

7th August 2015. ‘Quality’ episode of You can’t win them all, Ladies and Gentlemen - reading of ‘Untitled’ for a live radio show produced by Jenny Moore at X Marks the Bokship, London.

21st May 2015. EROS Edition VI launch - performative reading of ‘Akrasia’ with the School of the Event Horizon for Art15, London.

27th May 2015. EROS Edition VI launch - performative reading with props of ‘Akrasia’ with the School of the Event Horizon for Tenderbooks, London.

7th November 2014. ‘Happiness’ episode of You can’t win them all, Ladies and Gentlemen - reading of ‘Saline Solution’ by Sydney Letkemen for a live radio show produced by Jenny Moore at Library Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada.

3rd August 2014. Liminal Space - reading of ‘Lloyds, Get Your Own Whistle’ with School of the Event Horizon for TAP (Temporary Arts Projects), Southend.

26th June 2014. before breakfast we talked about the furthest visible point before it all disappeared - performance of ‘The Oracular Sponge’ with School of the Event Horizon for Tenderpixel, London.

31st May 2014. Time-distortion Writing Workshops - experimental writing workshop and performance with School of the Event Horizon for Brockley Artists Village Launch, London.

4th April 2014. TRIALOGUES: True Stories from the Event Horizon - collaborative performance and reading with School of the Event Horizon for the collaborative Peer Sessions exhibition of the same name at ASC Gallery, London.

2012. WORDS - reading of ‘This Work’ for an Am Nuden Da exhibition/ event, Institute of Contemporary Art, London.

Solo/ two person exhibitions:

2019. The Hermit and The Crowd (solo), The Gallery, 43 Lewisham Way, London.

2013. New Work: Kate Pickering and Charlotte Warne Thomas (duo), Bond House Gallery, London.

2011. FACT: Darren Harvey Regan and Kate Pickering (duo), R O O M artspace, London.

2010. We Will Make A Way (solo), Bloc Projects and Billboards commission, Sheffield.

2010. The Assistant (solo- a response to Maria Fusco), a Peer Sessions exhibition at Bearspace Gallery, London.

 

Selected group exhibitions/ screenings:

2018. Super-high-speed Processing, (exhibition) MARs Exhibition Space, 43 Lewisham Way, Goldsmiths, London.

2017. Imago Mundi, (exhibition - a collaboration with Daniel Dressel), Treviso, Italy.

2016. Speaking Through Stones, (exhibition) - St. James Hatcham, Goldsmiths, London.

2016. Tenderflix International Film & Video Competition, (screening) - with School of the Event Horizon, The Horse Hospital, London.

2016. Experimental Video Art Exhibition 2016 (EVA), (screening) - with School of the Event Horizon, Tour of Thai Universities, Thailand.

2015. Art&Labour TV Channel, (screening) - The Modern Language Experiment, Sluice Art Fair, London.

2015. Inside the Group, Expedition Medora, (exhibition) - individual and with School of the Event Horizon at Maximilians Forum, Munich, Germany.

2014. Who Thinks the Future? (Peer Sessions exhibition), Lewisham ArtHouse, London.

2014. Liminal Space, (exhibition) - with School of the Event Horizon for TAP (Temporary Arts Projects), Southend.

2014. Experimental Video Art Exhibition, Thai-European Friendship 2004-2014 (EVA project), (screening) - Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.

2014. before breakfast we talked about the furthest visible point before it all disappeared, (exhibition) with School of the Event Horizon, Tenderpixel, London.

2014. TRIALOGUES: True Stories from the Event Horizon, (Peer Sessions exhibition) with School of the Event Horizon at ASC Gallery, London.

2013. Post Post, (exhibition) - St James Church, Goldsmiths, London.

2013. Feedback, (Peer Sessions exhibition), Unit 4, Enclave, London.

2013. Misery Connoisseur (screening) - magazine launch at Enclave, London.

2013. Opening Connections, (exhibition), Site Festival, Stroud Visual Arts, Stroud.

2013. Between the Lines: Exploring Language Systems, (online) Axisweb curated selection.

2012. Motorcade/FlashParade National Open, (exhibition) - Motorcade/FlashParade, Bristol.

2012. EVA Retrospective Video Art 2012, (screening) - National Art Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand.

2012. ASSEMBLY 13, (exhibition) - Bloc Projects, Sheffield.

2012. Bread & Roses, (exhibition) - Motorcade/FlashParade, Bristol.

2012. Collectible, (exhibition) - Zeitgeist Art Projects, London.

2011. Samvaad, (screening) - Espacio Enter Canarias Festival, Spain.

2011. Waiting For Suicidal Hares International Video Art Festival, (screening) - Moon Event Space, Chongqing, China.

2011. Experimental video art 8, (screening) - tour of Universities, Bangkok, Thailand.

2011. Sentences Bury Text Festival, (exhibition) - Bury Art Gallery and Museum, Bury.

2011. Studio artist's group exhibition, (exhibition) - Woodmill studios, London.

2011. Samvaad, (screening) - Shantiroad Studio Gallery, Bangalore Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), New Delhi, India.

2010. Experimental video art 7, (screening) - tour of Universities, Thailand.

2010. WORDS, (exhibition) - Four Boxes, Krabbesholm, Denmark.

2010. Murmur, (exhibition) - Waterside Contemporary, London.

2010. The Devil's Necktie, (exhibition) - Woodmill Studios, London.

2009. WORDS, (exhibition) - Am Nuden Da, London.

2009. MFA Degree Show, (exhibition) - Goldsmiths, London.

2009. Group/Grope, (exhibition) - Area 10 Peckham, London.

2007. Shifting States, (exhibition) - Bearspace, Deptford, London.

2007. Pure Balls, (exhibition) - 222space, London.

2006. Objects in waiting, (exhibition) - End Gallery, Sheffield.

2006. Beneath, (exhibition) - Surface Gallery, Nottingham.

2006. EmergeandSee, (screening) - Graduate film festival, Berlin, Germany.

2005. Coming Out, (exhibition) - No. 9 Gallery, Sheffield.

2005.Are we nearly there yet? (exhibition) - Greenbelt Arts Festival, Cheltenham.

2005. Fine art degree show, (exhibition) - Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield.

Press:

2011. 'Professions of Faith: Kate Pickering’s “Untitled (I believe…)” (2007/9) and “Untitled” (2009)' in 'Communions, litanies, rituals and apparitions' Stephanie Bertrand, The Art and Worship Conference at The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki & Interartive Online Journal.

2011. 'FACT: R O O M, London,' Tom Trevatt, The Exhibitionary Complex (no longer available online).

2010. 'Kate Pickering- Axis artist of the month,' Julia Alvarez, Axis online resource for contemporary art (no longer available online).

2010. 'In The Studio- Kate Pickering,' Helen Sumpter, Time Out London No. 2074.

 

Teaching:

2022-2023. Associate Lecturer. Weekly seminars and assessment, BA Fine Art Critical Studies, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

2021 Visiting Lecturer. ‘Body-Worlds: Situated Writing and Bodily Dissolutions,’ workshop for the Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Art History, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

2018 - 2020. Associate Lecturer. Weekly seminars and assessment, BA Fine Art Critical Studies, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

2017-2018. Graduate Trainee Tutor. Weekly seminars and workshops, MFA Fine Art Collaborative Public Seminars and Workshops module, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

2017. Workshop leader. ‘Materiality and the Body,’  for Materialities workshop series with Laura White for Art Research Students, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

2015. Visiting lecturer. Fine Art HND, artists talk and one to one tutorials, Stourbridge Campus, Birmingham Metropolitan College.

2011. Visiting tutor. Undergraduate Fine Art, artists talk and one to one tutorials, Nottingham University.

2011. Visiting tutor. PostGraduate Diploma Fine Art, studio seminar/ crit, Chelsea Art School, University of the Arts London.

2005-2006. Studio mentor/ associate lecturer. Undergraduate Fine Art, mentoring of first year undergraduates and workshop delivery, Sheffield Hallam University.

1999-2001. Secondary school art & design teacher, Sheffield.

 

Peer Sessions, a nomadic crit group for artists:

2009- present. Project manager and founder of Peer Sessions (with Charlotte Warne Thomas), a group for postgraduate artists, curators and art writers, including monthly peer critiques, gallery visits, screenings, reading groups, exhibitions and artist’s residency series.

2022. Arts SU/ Xhibit 22 Crit. Facilitation of Peer Sessions Crit for Arts SU/ University of the Arts, London.

2021-2022. Chisenhale Crits. Faciliation of Peer Sessions Crits at Chisenhale Gallery.

2020. Cass Arts Student Prize. Facilitation of a Peer Sessions Crit for Cass Arts, Islington, London.

2017. Curator/ project manager of Future Refrains, a Peer Sessions collaborative project, exhibition and event funded by Arts Council England, ASC Gallery, London.

2016. Presentation on Peer Sessions project and participation in round table discussion for Verge, University of Portsmouth’s B.A. Photography Exhibition, Hoxton Arches, London.

2016. Presentation on Peer Sessions project and Peer Sessions Crit facilitation for Channel Sundays, organized by Joscha Schell, Hamburg, Germany.

2015-2016. Peer Sessions crits in collaboration with Studio Voltaire’s Associate Programme, Studio Voltaire, London.

2014. Project manager of Who Thinks the Future? a Peer Sessions project with curator Tom Trevatt, part of Deptford X and ArtLicks Weekend, shortlisted for the Workweek Prize, and supported by Arts Council England, Lewisham ArtHouse, London.

2014. Workshop leader. ‘Talking About Contemporary Art,’ a Peer Sessions workshop for Who Thinks the Future? at Lewisham ArtHouse, London.

2014. Project manager of TRIALOGUES, the second in Peer Sessions Residency series at ASC Gallery, London.

2014. Workshop leader. ‘Contemporary Art Discussion Workshop,’ a Peer Sessions workshop for TRIALOGUES at ASC Gallery, London.

2013. Project manager/ curator of a Peer Sessions collaborative residency project at Enclave, London.

2010. Project manager/ curator of The Assistant series of collaborative exhibitions and film screening of Peer Sessions members, Bearspace Gallery, London.

 

Artist's talks, residencies, other:

2019. Artist for Croydon Council Care Leavers project, (project with Children's Services Consultant Jenny Molloy).

2018. Artist for Bexley Council Care Leavers relaunch project, (project with Children's Services Consultant Jenny Molloy).

2016-2017. Artist for Bexley Council Children in Care relaunch project, (project with Children's Services Consultant Jenny Molloy).

2015. Artist for Rotherham Council Young People in Care Consultation, (project with Children's Services Consultant Jenny Molloy).

2015. Artist’s talk, Fine Art HND, Stourbridge Campus, Birmingham Metropolitan College.

2014. Artists’ Residency (with SOTEH), Liminal Space, TAP, Southend.

2014. Artists’ talk, Sixth Form Art Department, Thomas Tallis Secondary School, Greenwich.

2014. Artists’ residency (with SOTEH), TRIALOGUES, a Peer Sessions project at ASC Gallery, London.

2012. Shortlisted for Artists’ Commission Opportunity, Cornerhouse, Manchester.

2011. Participation in Back Drop : Peer to Peer artist research project curated by Monica Ursina Jager, sic! Raum für Kunst/Kunstpavillon, Lucerne, Switzerland.

2011. Artist's talk, Fine Art department, Nottingham University.

2011. Artist's talk, Roaming Room contemporary art tours, Woodmill studios, London.

2010. Artist's talk, solo exhibition at Bloc Projects, Sheffield.

2007-2010. Art programme advisor and steering committee member, Bearspace, London.

2006. Artist's residency, St Thomas' Church (Philadelphia Campus), Sheffield.

2005. Participation in Starting Out, a 6 day professional development course for emerging artists, Yorkshire Arts Space, Sheffield.

2002. Founded Tab artists’ studios, Sheffield City Centre. 

Funding:

2020. CHASE/ AHRC Research Travel Grant to travel to St. Julian’s Cell and Reading Centre, Norwich, UK.

2020. CHASE/ AHRC Cohort Training Funding for the Writing for Practice Forum

2019. CHASE/ AHRC Cohort Training Funding for the Writing for Practice Forum

2019. CHASE/ AHRC Research Travel Grant to travel to Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas

2017- 2022. CHASE/ AHRC Full PhD scholarship.

2016. Arts Council England Grants for the Arts Award for Future Refrains, a Peer Sessions project and exhibition at ASC Gallery, London.

2014. Arts Council England Grants for the Arts Award for Who Thinks the Future?, a Peer Sessions project and exhibition at Lewisham Arthouse, London.