Contra.Joburg 2025: The Visual Arts Festival That Interrupts Expectations

“What If Art Interrupts You?” — A Disruptive Celebration of Contemporary African Art

This year’s event has broadened its efforts to bring you the best the City has to offer. Contra.Joburg is partnering with Africa Collect, a financing platform that allows buyers to purchase artworks and pay them off over 12 months – making collecting more accessible than ever before. 

2025 also sees an exciting exhibition in partnership with Stephan Welz & Co. (SWELCO), through the Vintage Vanguard – a dual physical and digital exhibition that celebrates the timeless dialogue between the past and the future. Participating artists were given the unique opportunity to select vintage objects and reimagine them as contemporary artworks, breathing new life into historic pieces. These refined artworks will be available for purchase exclusively on Welz Boutique, providing collectors with curated opportunities to acquire meaningful, sustainable art. The SWELCO office in Waverley will serve as a “park-and-ride” easy starting point for visitors.  

Civic advocates Jozi My Jozi, who recognise the power of creativity to energise Johannesburg’s future, are supporting this year’s Contra.Joburg, allowing the event to be both a celebration and a way of making space, building trust, and mapping new pathways between art and everyday life across the city. 

The festival is also an engine for the creative economy. Since its launch, Contra.Joburg has facilitated nearly R3-million in direct art sales, enabling working artists to grow their practices and collectors — new and seasoned — to build meaningful collections. This event proves that local tourism in the City is accessible and that Joburgers are interested in culture. By connecting these spaces together and showcasing the Cities offering, Contra.Joburg gives people a reason to visit.

170+ Artists, Unscripted Interventions, and Citywide Experiences | 30–31 August 2025

• Each day focuses on a different route through the city and different venues.
• Around 170 artists and makers will participate in this year’s event.
• Visitors can access shuttle transport running in two loops on each day of Contra.Joburg. This  is included in the ticket price. The shuttles travel in two loops, in two different directions
• This is a family-friendly event with dedicated kids activities at various venues. 

Contra.Joburg will take place over two days, Saturday, 30 August and Sunday, 31 August 2025 with selected studios being open on these two different days. The studios will be linked via a shuttle service (that is included in the cost of the ticket) that will allow visitors to safely explore the city. The shuttles will move in a loop between the buildings, with transport available every 20 minutes. Based on demand last year, we have also decided to extend our hours, with the event running from 10:00 until 17:00.

This event was conceived by Sara Hallatt, the Director of the META foundation. The META foundation is a not-for-profit established by Sara Hallatt and David Mayers that offers a dynamic visual arts programme for artists based at Johannesburg’s creative landmark building, August House studios. The foundation was formed in 2020, one month before lockdown.

Contra.Joburg Programme Details

Saturday, 30 August (10:00 – 17:00)	Sunday, 31 August (10:00 – 17:00)
Bag Factory Artists’ Studios	Asisebenze Art Atelier
The Rand Club	August House
The Asisebenze Art Gallery	Ellis House
Play Braamfontein	Living Artist Emporium
The Creative Uprising (at Transwerke)	Oovookoo
WLM	Victoria Yards

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS – SATURDAY 30 AUGUST

Bag Factory Artists’ Studios

Candice Kramer  //  Gail Behrmann  // Joe Turpin  //  Kagiso Pat Mautloa  // Sharlene Khan  //  Levy Pooe  // Ndaya Ilunga  //  Tshepiso Moropa

Creative Uprising Hub (at Transwerke)

Nazo Arts and Projects // Arts and Culture Trust // Visual Republic // Idiosyncratic // Yeyeb // Homegrown Shandis // Afrikanswiss // Leal Bob Bernstein // Craft & Design Institute // Floyd Avenue Apparel // ArtAid // Afrikkul Lifestyle // Tribal Monkey // House of Mumbi //
Themodernus // Auko Designs // TMG Makerspace // Sekgosi // Tryqueenia Setlhotlha // Mandlenkosi Mavengere // Sun Goddess Lux // Rare Space Studio

Play Braamfontein

Empty Spaces presents the founder of Urban Mosadi, Tiisetso Molobi.  She creates luxury accessories that fuse streetwear with African fabrics to celebrate authentic Pan-African style. Rooted in her heritage and urban culture, she champions creativity that reflects true African identity beyond global trends.

Visit the Studios of renowned artist and director Fhatuwani Mukheli. 

Rand Club

An exhibition by Dustin August

WLM

A group exhibition with works by Inile Hlatswayo // Njabulo Melusi Hadebe // Zintle Mfaba // Justice Mathonsi // Thabiso Makosa // Bongiwe ‘boffgridd’ Bhuthelezi // Mcedisi King Nkosi

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS – SUNDAY 31 AUGUST

Asisebenze Art Atelier

Frans Thoka // Friedrich Mabitsela // Khomotso Phetla // Kutlwano Manyai // Michael Selekane // Mmutlake Mashishi // Mncendi Madolo // Mndeni Mtshali // Nomonde Kananda // Nqobile Mkari // Patrick Rulore // Siphamandla Ex // Siphiwe Nyandeni // Steve Maphoso // Thuba Mafoko

August House

Alpheus Ngoepe // Ayola Goxo // Bekezela Mabena  //  Black Mabutho  //  Blessing Blaai  //  Dumisani Jere  //  Dustin August  //  Fiver Locker  //  Ivy Ndbele  // Kamogelo Masemola // Khotso Motsoeneng  //  Khotso Njiki Sibeko  // Khotso Motsoeneng  //  Lesedi Manganye  //  Lisa Younger  //    Lutho Kondlo  //  Mbali Zulu  //  Mbali Tshabalala  //  Melissa Haiden  // Mongezi Ncombo  // Msizi Buthelezi //  Mpho Machate  //  Nanini Mgandela //  Nicola Bouwer  //  Oteng Keabetswe  //  Petros Mwenga  //  Retshidisitswe Ngqekeza  //  Rorisang Monanabela  //   Sibongile Nicole Nkosi  //  Simon Mashapo Jnr.  //  Solomon Omogboye  // Thamba Tabvuma  //  Thamsanga Mfuphi  // Tshepo Koloti Moji  //  Vusi Mbulali  //  Wisani Manyisi  //  Zenzo Siamenda

Ellis House

Assan Taylor Yahaya // Ayanda Moyo // Belmiro Jemusse // Boniswa Khumalo // Cassius Khumalo // Given Muronga // Just Ivan’s and Chris // Kandiwa Dlwati // Kaya Mazule // Lehlogonolo Mashaba // Lindo Mahamba // Mpho Nkadimeng // Naailah Gattoo // Njabule Hlophe // Nkosinnathi Buthelezi // Percy Maimela // Phumzile Buthelezi // Samson Chambala // Senzeni Marasela // Siyabonga Mlambi // Theophelus Rithotso // Tumi Moroeng

And the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize

Living Artists Emporium

Mbongeni Mhlongo // Nisty Chatha // Stoffel Mogano // Oni Mkoki // Sabelo Mkhalipi // Kwandiwa Dlwati

Oovookoo

Abe Mathabe  //  Claire de Jong  //  Cynthia Foss  // PLAYDOUT  // Eve de Jong  //  Gordon Froud //  Lebogang More  //  Lindokhule Tshabalala  //  Lu-Caine Robinson  //  Mkhuthalezi Nkwanyana  //  Mo Ntsamai  //  Moagi Moshoane  // Modimo Tshabalala //  Ramakhothatso Ntsamai  // Ramatoana Richard  // Reginald Teys  //  Ruaan Vos  // Sibusiso Makunga  // Sinalo Ntuli  //  Sol Stringer  // Solomon Mugutsu // Sthembile Twala  // Thabiso Clothing  //  Thando Zethembe

Victoria Yards

Simone Marie Farah  // House of Mumbi // James Delaney // Michael Brian Waugh  //  Hogarth Art  //  Shabalala Designs  //  Mongezi Ngcobondwane // Sibayeni Metro Farming  // Mandy Schindler  // Dario Monjate  // Nqobile Nxumalo

Along with the Antidote Project & Imbali Arts & Crafts

TRANSPORT

SHUTTLE SERVICES

Saturday, 30 August and Sunday, 31 August 2025

From 10:00 a shuttle service will operate from every venue. The shuttle service is designed as a hop-on-hop-off shuttle with two loops – in a westerly direction, and an easterly direction, allowing visitors to seamlessly move from space to space. Shuttles depart every 20 minutes. The LAST shuttle will depart from its space at 17:00 and will complete one loop. After that, guests will need to make personal use of e-hailing services.

PARKING 

See all parking options available to visitors at https://contra.joburg/shuttle-routes

SECURITY

Security will be on site at all venues. Our aim is to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible. 

FOOD AND DRINKS

Food and beverages will be on sale, with different studios offering different options. Please be advised that no outside alcohol, beverages or food is permitted to be brought into the venues.

ABOUT THE META FOUNDATION AND THE STUDIOS

ABOUT THE META FOUNDATION

The META foundation is a not-for-profit established by Sara Hallatt and David Mayers that offers a dynamic visual arts programme for artists based at Johannesburg’s creative landmark building August House studios. The META foundation works across three primary pillars: collaborating with ARTISTS, instigating projects and developing best practices around the creation of ARTWORKS, and, hosting exhibitions, art practice-focused workshops and art commissions, while through its activities the META foundation inspires diverse AUDIENCES & Collectors to meet artists who work across mediums. The META foundation founded OpenStudios.joburg in 2021.

ABOUT ASISEBENZE ART ATELIER

Asisebenze Art Atelier is a gallery space, artist studios and art dealership, in the heart of the Johannesburg inner city. Since 2021 AAA has holistically embraced its environment and the cosmopolitan identity it brings. accompany it. In 2025, Asisebenze decided to open up a separate gallery space in the AEGIS building and located at 

ABOUT AUGUST HOUSE

This exclusive art building in Johannesburg’s inner city is home to more than 40 independent, pan-African contemporary artists, in private art studios. Known as ‘The Artists’ Playground’, this 1940s light industrial warehouse space is the site of the largest artist community in Johannesburg and perhaps South Africa. 

In 2024 August House celebrated 18 years as a well-established, local and international contemporary African artists community. Started as an enclave for artists in 2006 by Bie Venter and Maria Svane, its notable tenants have included artists Mary Sibanda, Dineo Seshee Bopape and Lawrence Lemaoana, Mbongeni Richman Buthelezi, Gordon Froud and Joseph Gaylard, Nontobeko Ntombela, Gabi Ngcobo, Gonçalo Mabunda, Jacki McInnes, Nelson Makamo, Bie Venter, Kudzanai Chiurai and Nicholas Hlobo. The space continues to thrive, even as the city outside undergoes change. The building was sold in 2016 and during the transition more formal studio spaces were created for young up and coming artists. August House also includes End Street Studios, which is located on the 2nd floor of the building. This space is a communal space that houses the residency and awards programme as well as many of the female artists in the building.

While August House was created to initially provide a studio space for local artists, the space has extended its programming to provide support and development to artists and the visual arts industry as a whole. It does this through its non-profit arm, the META foundation.

ABOUT THE BAG FACTORY ARTISTS’ STUDIOS

The Bag Factory is a non-profit contemporary visual art organisation in Newtown, Johannesburg. With a pioneering 33-year history of providing a supportive infrastructure for artists, the Bag Factory is unique in combining art-making with cultural debate and art exhibitions. The work of the Bag Factory creates a fertile global environment for experimentation, innovation, and cultural dialogue between creatives in South Africa and the world. 

The Bag Factory provides studio space to a cross-generational community of Johannesburg-based artists and hosts a prestigious international artist and curator residency programmes. They also offer artist and curatorial skills development workshops through the annual Young Womxn Studio Bursary, the prestigious David Koloane Award and Cassirer Welz Award. All programming is accompanied by a public programme encouraging greater understanding of contemporary visual art practice while stimulating interaction between artists and the local community. The Bag Factory is affiliated with the international Triangle Network.

ABOUT ELLIS HOUSE

Established in 2012 by Ian Blacher, this light industrial warehouse – previously a textile factory – has been transformed into private studio spaces. Ellis House is home to more than 30 artists as well as The Labyrinth Project: a platform for artistic exchange and interdisciplinary experimentation. Ellis House features multiple exhibition and workshop spaces, audio-visual facilities, and prides itself on its artist-led creative programming.

Notable tenants, both past and present, include Nandipha Mntambo, Blessing Ngobeni, Reshma Chhiba, Colbert Mashile, Ayana Jackson, the experimental rock group Blk Jks and many more. 

ABOUT LIVING ARTISTS EMPORIUM (LAE)

Living Artists Emporium is a Creative Project Space and Contemporary Art Gallery that provides a platform for artists to create and exhibit work. A lack of resources, artistic guidance and direction are all factors faced by emerging artists. Living Artist Emporium (LAE) addresses these challenges by providing the necessary infrastructure, studios and exhibition channels to enable artists to build their careers.

“Breaking the rules of art” is the slogan of Living Artists Emporium, a stand against the norm. LAE seeks to create new ground in the art industry by offering high quality contemporary art as an investment for the future and the opportunity to invest in the early stages of an artist’s career.

ABOUT PLAY BRAAMFONTEIN

Play Braamfontein is a niche property development company spearheading culturally-driven urban transformation in Johannesburg. Headed by Adam Levy, the company focuses on creating unique and aspirational environments, using commercial space to connect people, showcasing art and creative talent, and transforming spaces into key city attractions. 

ABOUT THE RAND CLUB

Founded in 1887 in the fledgling days of Johannesburg, Rand Club is the city’s most enduring social institution and finest heritage venue. Celebrate the history of the City while experiencing the creativity within its walls. 

ABOUT THE CREATIVE UPRISING (at Transwerke)

The Queen Victoria Hospital heritage Art Deco building has been transformed into The Creative Uprising Hub (at Transwerke). The Creative Uprising Hub offers Makers & Visual Artists affordable office spaces and runs programmes to support the enterprises from a market access, business and product design perspective. The Hub aims to form a network that will drive the growth of creative industries in the province, providing more jobs, more education, and more opportunities.

ABOUT VICTORIA YARDS

Victoria Yards presents a uniquely integrated urban complex that is as much about social development as it is a commercial enterprise. A market space, an events venue, a collection of artisans and artist studios set among edible gardens, Victoria Yards seeks to inspire, educate, and provide an uplifting space for visitors and tenants alike.