“What if art interrupts you?”: Johannesburg’s Most Radical Visual Arts Festival Returns

Now, in its fourth year, the Contra.Joburg art festival continues to lead the way in reimagining how we experience and connect with contemporary art in Joburg.

Contra has not only pushed the boundaries of engagement by placing artists and audiences in direct—and often unexpected—conversations.

This year’s festival offers an even more immersive dive into Joburg’s vibrant art scene, underlining the essential role that culture plays in our lives.

Instead of polished gallery spaces, Contra invites you into the working studios of Johannesburg’s most exciting creatives. Here, art is alive, in motion, and in conversation.

Taking over Play Braamfontein on Saturday, 30 August 2025, this year’s edition asks: What if art interrupts you? The question underscores a renewed commitment to disrupting the expected by placing creativity directly in our paths. Expect live painting, design, studio visits, food, panel discussions, and so much more.

Creative20 Panel Discussion

Be part of a pivotal panel discussion at the new Dibuke Cafe, located at 70 Juta Street, hosted by The Creative20 movement. In November 2025, South Africa will host the G20 Summit, and this unique force is ensuring the creative and cultural industries are prepared.

The Creative20 exists to enable global creative economic prosperity and better outcomes for creative practitioners. Their first step is to rally creatives around the “Creativity is our Superpower” pledge.

The goal is to gain recognition as an official G20 engagement group, elevating the arts on the global agenda.

Exhibitions at the Contra.Joburg Art Festival: Thato Setagane

Johannesburg-based artist Thato Setagane presents his upcoming exhibition, “Painting with Light,” at Dibukafe in Play, Braamfontein. The exhibition invites you to explore the interplay of illumination and atmosphere within urban and intimate spaces.

Through layered, light-responsive media and installations, Setagane invites viewers to engage with shifting perceptions and the subtleties of radiance in everyday environments. Drawing from local narratives, this exhibition illuminates how light shapes our experience of space and community.

Discover Local Design at the Contra.Joburg Art Festival

Explore Urban Mosadi’s incredible design collection at Empty Spaces, 70 Juta Street, Braamfontein, during Contra.Joburg, you can celebrate local creativity and bold, innovative design in one of the city’s most vibrant cultural hubs.

Don’t miss the chance to see unique pieces that redefine contemporary style and craftsmanship.

Meet the Artists of the Contra.Joburg Art Festival

Come and meet Fhatuwani Mukheli in his studio. Born in Soweto, Fhatuwani is a multidisciplinary powerhouse—an artist, photographer, filmmaker, and the co-founder of I See a Different You, a creative collective reshaping Black representation in South Africa.

His work, which explores African urban life, memory, and identity, has earned him both local and international acclaim. Fhatuwani radiates authenticity and vibrant positivity, and on Saturday, he brings that infectious energy and creative depth to Contra.Joburg at Play Braam, promising both visionary art and genuine connection.

Food and Drink

Have you heard? Skinner, a friendly new coffee shop, is now open on the corner of Juta and De Beer. It’s the perfect spot to take a breather during the festival, and they’re giving anyone with a Contra.Joburg ticket 10% off their first coffee this Saturday. Just stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Afterwards, enjoy the best pizza in Joburg at Little Kitcheners or grab one of their signature cocktails to refresh your soul.

The Playground: Hub of the Contra.Joburg Art Festival

Play Braam’s beloved Playground at 73 Juta Street—the vibrant multi-level hub known for its live music, artisan markets, and great street food—is getting a fresh facelift just in time for spring. With clever design changes and a revamped atmosphere, the spot is about to get even better, ensuring it keeps that creative Joburg buzz alive every weekend. Sound like your kind of Saturday? Then grab your tickets here to join in.

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