Katelan V. Foisy is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose work blends vintage aesthetics with mysticism, symbolism, and modern narrative. Renowned for her mixed media art, photography, and design, she moves fluidly between the worlds of fine art, music, fashion, and esoteric culture.
Her art has become a defining visual element for The Smashing Pumpkins, appearing onstage and across merchandise for tours such as Shiny & Oh So Bright, Spirits on Fire, and The World is a Vampire, as well as William Patrick Corgan’s solo Ogilala tour. She also designed interior art for the ATUM (Indie Special) release and developed visual branding for the Thirty-Three podcast and the label for Smashing Pumpkins x FEW Spirits Whiskey collaboration, where her visual storytelling expands into packaging and collectible design. At Madame Zuzu’s Teahouse, Katelan shaped the atmosphere by designing and painting the iconic starburst stage and serving as a lead design consultant. Her collaboration with the National Wrestling Alliance includes a series of bespoke championship belts that merge ceremonial design with narrative symbolism.
Katelan’s album artwork includes Aghori Mhori Mei, Machina Aranea Alba Editio, Her illustrations are featured in The Sibyls Oraculum and The Hoodoo Tarot (Inner Traditions/Simon & Schuster, 2018 & 2020), both in collaboration with Tayannah McQuillar. Her forthcoming book Chaos of the Third Mind, with Dr. Vanessa Sinclair, will be released by Trapart Books.
Her artwork has exhibited at institutions such as the Worcester Art Museum, Ohio History Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art DC, Last Rites, MODA, and London’s A&D Gallery. Illustration and branding clients include The Grammy Awards, Howling Wolves Wine, Maison Atia, Saturn Sisters, O’Death, Gabby Young & Other Animals, Out Magazine, Scholastic, and The Progressive. Her paintings have appeared at Young & Rubicam, Que4 Radio, and Ensemble Studio Theater.
In film, her short works have screened at the Cinémathèque Française as part of the avant-garde series on Romani Cinema, curated by Nicole Brenez and Jonathan Larcher. She has also created video vignettes for Carbonbloc, Vondré, and The Cold & Lovely.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Elle, GQ Italy, VICE, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, High Fructose, Paper Magazine, Time Out NY, and WGN. She has spoken at the London National Poetry Society, presented with Atlas Obscura, hosted salons at NYC’s Science House, performed flash gigs with OVADA in Oxford, and regularly lectures at Pratt Institute.
As a writer, her essays and features appear in Motherboard/VICE, Electric Literature, Luna Luna, ERIS Magazine, Fenris Wolf, and COILHOUSE. She is also a sought-after spiritualist, reader, and performer for high-profile events hosted by BBC America, Swarovski, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Based in Chicago, Katelan travels frequently for creative projects, performance, and collaboration.
Photo courtesy CFDA and Swarovski