Artist Lisa Kattenbraker's Batik Creations Invite Viewers to Interpret Their Own Stories

Kattenbraker's 'Mothers, Sisters, Daughters' was chosen as the commemorative poster for Artisphere 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:19am

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A minimalist, Saul Bass-inspired illustration featuring stark, jagged geometric shapes in bold red and white, abstractly representing the faceless but expressive figures from Lisa Kattenbraker's 'Mothers, Sisters, Daughters' batik artwork.Lisa Kattenbraker's bold batik artwork, chosen for the Artisphere 2026 commemorative poster, invites viewers to interpret their own stories within its vibrant, abstract figures.Greenville Today

Lisa Telling Kattenbraker, a batik artist based in Olympia, Washington, has been selected to create the commemorative poster for the 2026 Artisphere festival in Greenville, South Carolina. Her bold, narrative batik artwork titled 'Mothers, Sisters, Daughters' features a vibrant, inky blue sky and mottled yellow-green earth, inviting viewers to interpret their own stories within the faceless but expressive figures. Kattenbraker's intensive wax-resist process allows for unexpected and nonlinear results, reflecting the seasons of life.

Why it matters

Kattenbraker's selection as the featured artist for Artisphere 2026 highlights the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and perspectives. Her work, which encourages viewers to bring their own interpretations, aligns with Artisphere's mission to foster community engagement through the visual, performing, and culinary arts.

The details

Kattenbraker's 'Mothers, Sisters, Daughters' was chosen as the commemorative poster for the 2026 Artisphere festival in Greenville, South Carolina. The bold, narrative batik artwork features a vibrant, inky blue sky and mottled yellow-green earth, with faceless but expressive figures that invite viewers to interpret their own stories. Kattenbraker's intensive wax-resist process, which requires vision, trust, and flexibility, allows for unexpected and nonlinear results that reflect the seasons of life.

  • Artisphere 2026 will take place May 8-10 in downtown Greenville.
  • Kattenbraker last visited Artisphere in 2005 when her husband was an exhibiting artist.

The players

Lisa Telling Kattenbraker

A batik artist based in Olympia, Washington who has been creating art for nearly 25 years.

Scott Kattenbraker

Lisa Kattenbraker's husband, who was an exhibiting artist at the inaugural Artisphere festival in 2005.

Maira Kalman

A poet whose work, 'Women Holding Things,' has inspired Kattenbraker's recent artistic explorations.

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What they’re saying

“Part of what I loved about it when I was first introduced is that it didn't make a lot of sense, and I had to puzzle-piece it out to figure out how to get colors where I want them to be. How do I get to different effects? I can't paint on an effect. It has to work with the wax and the dye.”

— Lisa Telling Kattenbraker, Artist

“That's what we do, and to have the support of other women and to be supportive of other women is just incredibly important, and especially in this time that we are in. It's very important.”

— Lisa Telling Kattenbraker, Artist

What’s next

Artisphere 2026 will take place May 8-10 in downtown Greenville, where attendees can visit Lisa Kattenbraker's booth, shop her work, and find their own stories within her rich, detailed batik creations.

The takeaway

Lisa Kattenbraker's selection as the featured artist for Artisphere 2026 showcases the festival's commitment to highlighting diverse artistic voices and perspectives. Her bold, narrative batik artwork, which encourages viewers to bring their own interpretations, aligns with Artisphere's mission to foster community engagement through the visual, performing, and culinary arts.