‘What does an oracle look like?’ Book launch with Perri MacKenzie

We are delighted to support the launch of ‘What does an oracle look like?’ a publication by Perri MacKenzie. Perri will do a short reading from the book followed by a presentation on the journey of making the book focusing on the reflexive relationship of text/image, painting/publication inherent in her practice. She’ll talk about ‘What does an oracle look like?’ as both sensual space and performative object, as well as what it means for an artist to have an editorial vision.

About What does an oracle look like?

‘What does an oracle look like?’ gathers essays and drawings made by Perri between 2020 and 2024, themed loosely around pottery painting and vocal expression. The drawings, rendered in splashy India ink and collage, range from expressive sketches to theatrical still lives and experimental bandes dessinées (comic books). The book presents for the first time the essay ‘Cathedral’. Part memoir, part literary/sonic investigation, it meditates on the vocal texture of a Hollywood actor. The publication is available at rile*, books at, and directly through Leaky Press.

Image credit: Flora Vanclooster

About Perri MacKenzie

Perri’s artistic production comprises paintings, drawings, screen-prints, and texts. Her bold and immersive compositions invite us to ‘read’ them, to engage in pictorial puzzles and textural fantasy. There is a theatrical energy in her expressive works on paper; at the same time an editorial attitude collages her works into multi-part publications and exhibitions.

Perri MacKenzie is a Scottish painter and writer based in Brussels, Belgium. She has exhibited across Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK, with recent solo presentations at Embassy, Edinburgh and Komplot, Brussels. Her essays and art criticism have been published in magazines such as Glean, Le Chauffage, and The Serving Library. In 2023, she taught two experimental drawing courses at l’ecole de recherche graphique, Brussels. Prior to that, she co-curated the artist-run space Kantine together with Kevin Gallagher from 2018 to 2023. ‘What does an oracle look like?’ (Leaky Press, 2025) is her first book.

Image credit: Michaela Schweighofer

Access

The event will take place in the Worm. The Worm is located at 11 Castle Gate, Peacock is located at 21 Castle Gate, for more information on how to reach us visit our website.

-The worm is a ground floor space

- Accessible toilet with baby changing facility

Travel

-Public transport is regularly available via train or bus. More information can be found here.

-For drivers with a blue badge, you will find a list of car parks with blue badge spaces here.

-Please be aware we are located in the LEZ (Low Emissions Zone) and restrictions will apply. More information on parking can be found here.