MIRREN KESSLING
(b. 1994)
I’m a London-based artist working across drawing, collage, illustration, ceremony, and live events.
My work begins with hand-drawing, archival research, printing and often grows into shared experiences: gatherings, rituals, and ceremonies that help people connect to themselves, each other, and the natural world. I’m interested in symbolic storytelling and how we can reimagine ways of marking time, honouring transition, and creating meaning together.
Contact: mirren(@)mirrenkessling.co.uk
Photo by Alice Zoo
ABOUT
Since graduating with a BFA from the Ruskin School of Art in 2016, I have spent the following decade developing a multi stranded creative practice: working as an artist and researching nature-based spiritual practices across the UK, while also programming and producing events for cultural organisations.
This period of cross-disciplinary exploration led me to co-found the creative collective Just Druid and to train as a Sacred Celebrant of Avalon. I was ordained as a Priestess in 2023, stepping into the ceremonial name Priestess of the Stars in a ritual at the White Spring beneath Glastonbury Tor. The archetype of the star, to me, represents confidence, leadership and tranquility - all qualities I aim to embody in ceremony and events.
I also hold a Level 3 Diploma in Naming and Couples Celebrancy with Civil Ceremonies Ltd and create contemporary ceremonies for love, life transitions, and intention-setting. In 2022, I began convening seasonal meditation walks in London’s green spaces, collaborating with wellbeing practitioners to create ritual events that follow the rhythms and themes of the seasonal year. These gatherings re-imagine land art and ceremony as a form ofsocial practice, I’vedeveloped and delivered these in collaboration with Roam, The Line,Timespan Helmsdale, Commons and Grubber.
My visual works have been exhibited at institutions and galleries including solo exhibitions at Modern Art Oxford, Cube Gallery London and group presentations at Ashmolean Museum, York Art Gallery, Modern Artists Gallery, Fusion Arts, Jelly, London Art Fair, Museum for the History of Science and more. My work has been featured in A.Y.F.P, Artlyst, Aesthetica, BBC World News,Dazed, Rookie, Image Journal (US), and the International Journal of Fashion Studies.
I was awarded a residency at Arteles in Finland in February 2025 and my work has been recognised by CVAN South East’s Platform, the Ambit Artist Award, and Aesthetica Art Prize.
I create hand drawn illustrations which have appeared with Ignota, BRACIA, Jackdaw Films, Fauness and others. My illustrated garments have been stocked at Weven (Stroud) and John (Tokyo).
I have frequently teach across universities including London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, and previously Oxford Brookes. I have led experimental drawing workshops at organisations such as the Natural History Museum Oxford, Jelly, Fusion Arts and Modern Art Oxford. And regularly facilitate talks and panel discussions about creative practice.
Currently, I am Co-Director of the UAL Future Fashion Film Festival and a Cultural Programmer at London College of Fashion for it’s public programme at East Bank, London’s newest cultural quarter. I also serve as a member of the Fashion Curation Research Centre at UAL. From 2018–2022, I led the public events programme at Jerwood Arts in Southwark, London.
Photo by Alice Zoo