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Catherine Birk (b. 1994) is a painter and researcher currently based in Chicago, IL. Their interdisciplinary practice brings transgender studies, queer theory, and critical theory into the expanded field of painting.
CV
Born 1994, Pontiac, MI
Lives and works in Chicago, IL
Education
2024 MFA, Studio Art, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI
2016 BA magna cum laude, Studio Art, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
BA magna cum laude, Art History, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Solo Exhibitions
2026 House-Tree-Person, D.D.D.D., New York, NY
2024 My mother is a horse., Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, WI
2023 the rehearsal, Gallery 7, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 Vortex, Buddy, Chicago, IL (Curator: Alexandra Knapik)
An Egg Show, Commonwealth Gallery, Madison, WI (Curators: Owen Forer, Mallory Stowe, Emily Graves)
2025 Unboxed: Rethinking the Grid, Brick City Gallery at Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (Curators: Erin Tyler, Colby Jennings)
Hard Color, D.D.D.D., New York, NY (Curator: Damien Ding)
2024 Sword Thumbs, Real Tinsel, Milwaukee, WI (Curator: Kaden Van De Loo)
Heal, Create, and Share, Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, WI (Curator: Roberto Torres Mata)
2023 TMA Contemporary, Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI (Jurors: Frank Juarez, Riley Niemack, Christina Turner)
2020 Frontyard, Backyard, Street, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC (Curator: Susan Gregory)
A Study of Humans and Place, GHOST Art Project, Omaha, NE (online, Curator: Ian Tredway)
Art Fairs
2026 Future Fair (Represented by D.D.D.D.), New York, NY
Professional Experience
2026- Adjunct Instructor, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL (courses taught: Drawing & Composition 101 and Drawing & Composition 102)
2023-24 Project Assistant, Derrick Buisch, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (digital fabrication, preparation of painting surfaces
and materials)
Instructor, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI (Introduction to Art, Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
2021-23 Teaching Assistant, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI (courses taught: Foundations of Contemporary Art, Fall 2021,
Fall 2022; and Current Directions in Art, Spring 2022, Spring 2023)
Awards
2025 Comfort Station’s 2025 Chicago Artists to Watch, Comfort Station, Chicago, IL
2024 Russell and Paula Panczenko Prize, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
2023 TMA Contemporary Juror Favorite, Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI
2017 Bryan and Katherine Rutenberg Award, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Artist Talks & Presentations
2026 Artist Talk, “In Conversation: Catherine Birk and Kate Sherman on House-Tree-Person,” D.D.D.D., New York, NY
Bibliography
Brainard Carey, “Catherine Birk,” WYBCX Yale University Radio, New Haven, CT, April 10, 2026. https://museumofnonvisibleart.com/interviews/catherine-birk/
Ella Saph, “Cat Birk Contemplates Trans Solidarity in Art Exhibit ‘My mother is a horse.’”, WORT FM, Madison, WI, April 24, 2024. https://www.wortfm.org/cat-birk-contemplates-trans-solidarity-in-art-exhibit-my-mother-is-a-horse/