Johannesburg’s most radical visual arts festival, Contra.Joburg returns for two days on August 29 and 30 under the theme: Different is good.

Contra.Joburg hosted a media launch on August 18 for an overview of what to expect over the two days of the radical visual arts festival.

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Speaking at Candice Berman Gallery in Rosebank, the arts festival founder Sara Hallatt said this year’s event was about difference. “Johannesburg is often described by all the things that are wrong with it. What I ask of people is to focus on all the art that is being made by people who care about creativity.”

Hallatt noted that since Contra.Joburg’s inception, it was the first time a gallery, such as Candice Berman, participated. It was chosen because there were a lot of different artists’ work that made up the gallery.

The launch included a tour to Victoria Yards. There Contra.Joburg’s partners also participating in the festival where featured, including renowned conceptual artist Usha Seejarim’s studio.

Seejarim’s practice interrogates the intersection of gender, labour, and power, through the transformation of everyday, domestic objects.

The artist explained that several factors drew her to participating in this year’s festival.

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“It’s decentralised and in artists’ studios. I have attended Contra.Joburg before and enjoy the concept of it. I also like that the audience that attends this festival is made up of families, youth, and children.”

This year’s edition promises a curated artistic experience designed to expand the possibilities of visual art.

To help you move easily between spaces, a complimentary shuttle service will run throughout the two days, looping between venues every 20 minutes. Parking is available at each site, with shuttle access from every stop.

Children under 18 are free, just select your adult tickets first, then you can list how many children you want to bring. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed into the event.

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For full details on studios, parking, and programming visit: www.contra.joburg

Tickets are R150 and can be purchased from Quicket at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/380279-contrajoburg-2026/#/

Studios on Saturday will be open from 10:00–17:00 and will be at the following venues:

• Candice Berman Gallery – Gallery, residency, studio space, and coffee (On street parking)
• Asisebenze Art Gallery – Gallery and coffee shop (Street parking only)
• Little Artists – Exhibition, kids’ area, and a pop up (Street parking only)
• Jozi Gold – Concert, the rugby, and a pop up (Street parking only)

Studios on Sunday will be open from 10:00–17:00, and will be at the following venues:

• Usha Seejarim’s Studio – Studio and food and drinks (Street parking only)
• Stephan Welz & Co – Exhibition (Underground secure parking)
• Victoria Yards – Gallery, studios, food and drinks (Street parking only)

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