Contra.Joburg is here and –promises to be an unforgettable weekend of art immersion

29–30 August 2026

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Main Pic: Sara Hallat, Representative from Motherland Coffee Company and artist Usher Sejarin

We first congregated at 223 Creative Hub in Johannesburg, where Candice Gallery is situated. But, of course, this was more than a congregating place, as soon a busload of guests, mainly media and other art stakeholders were ushered into the gallery space upstairs, where there is a brave art exhibition, In Pursuit of Glimmer, showing the work of eight artists, curated by award winning artist Dudubloom More.

This exhibition, is an all-women affair that takes the viewer into intimate, privilege spaces inhabited by these women’s thought, contemplation, and in the case of one exhibition into a usual forbidden area of women’s most private of all parts, the vagina.

You can read CITYLIFE/ARTS’s review of this exhibition here, (https://citylifearts.co.za/in-pursuit-of-glimmer-exhibition-extends-womens-struggle-for-freedom-beyond-that-of-1956/) published in our previous in our previous edition.

Here is the thing. The reason for congregating at 223 Jan Smuts Avenue, on Tuesday, 18 August, 2026, was for getting on a bus for a bus tour of inner city artist studios and other businesses, oozing creativity, located right in inner city Johannesburg.  Great things are indeed happening in inner city Johannesburg, irrespective of the scary stories one often hears, such as crime, hijacked buildings, broken city lights, robots that frequently do not work, and the dirt that one has to navigate around when walking around the city. The media tour was organised by Meta Foundation, which runs the annual inner city Johannesburg art fair, Contra.Joburg.

However on Tuesday, we were not all about that – but seeing light where we normally think there is darkness in the inner city, discovering creative energy in buildings that ordinarily one would  not be recognisable once put up in gallery walls or exhibited at an art fair. I am sure by now, you are getting my drift.

The occasion, was the media launch of Contra.Joburg, which this year is getting into its fifth iteration, and it keeps on getting better with each year. We know this because CITYLIFE/ARTS was there when this annual art event, think of it as Johannesburg’s inner city art fair, was launched, and I have been to each one of them ever since.

From 223, the bus took us to Victoria Yards in Lorentsville, that famous by-now, arts hub that houses, artist studios, clothing boutiques, design studios, interesting coffee shops, restaurants and even a vodka distilling company. In fact, we were headed to Primal Distillers situated right inside Victoria Yards. I have been to Victoria Yards on several occasions, from when it was founded, created from a space that for all practical reasons, had reached its sell-by date, dotted with a collection of mainly either abandoned, rotting buildings or those no longer thought of as buildings serving any other use other than housing criminals and the undesirables of the city. That space, under visionary thinkers and courageous investors, has been turned into a remarkable light in the city, where people go for no other reason, but to stroll around, look at art works, see artists work in their studios, or simply, have a cup of coffee before driving back into the safety of their suburban home. Having experienced something different. Something that restores hope in inner city Johannesburg becoming great city once more. Only of course, if, more places like these, are created within the city. Places that feel safe for visitors. Places where creativity is unleashed by artists. Places that are aesthetically pleasing to look at. Walk around. Admire. Even negotiate a bargain for a piece of art in one of the artist studios dotted around this place.

In fact, it is the reason why initiatives like Conra-Jourg and others, such as Jozi My Jozi,operating in the city matter. It is to show visitors, even those that have long given up on the City of Gold, that inner city Joburg still rocks. It breathes life. It breathes creativity. Artists are creating great things there. You can even enjoy a cup of wine, beer, ice cream, and in the case of Primal Distillers, a designer gin or vodka at Victoria Yards, for example.

Soon we were in front of Primal Distillers right inside Victoria Yards. After Sara Hallat, the visionary behind Contra-Joburg, introduced us to Gabriel, a young engineer, who in recent years with his business partner, a fellow engineer, bought the Primal Spirits Distillery from those who founded it, Gabriel told us about how in that massive distillery really, the engineers concoct, interesting drink to to quench the thirsty throats of drinkers.

After Gabriel had spoken, it was time for a fellow going by the name of SK to speak about Primal Distillers as a brand that approaches quenching the craving of the thirsty of Johannesburg in a different way.

“Here we are doing things differently. We approach what we do with the community in mind. We are community oriented. In fact, we invite those that have ideas to come around and have a conversation with us, so that we embrace the community in what we are doing here,”he said.

And indeed, he immediately demonstrated Primal Spirits Distillery’ community oriented approach in doing business in the inner city, by unveiling five finalists, artists who were commissioned to create deigns for the gin bottles.

These are artists who answered to a call by the distillery for artists to create designs that resonate with what Joburg is today. The winner and other two artists who made it to the Top five were presented there. Each taking turns to explain the inspiration behind their designs.

Then, it was off to Ophirton. For those who perhaps by now have forgotten the geographical location of Ophirton, think of it as part of Boysens really. Just on the other side of Selby, South of Johannesburg.

This place by the look of things, is mainly an industrial place, with a few industries still operational at a time when manufacturing has been slowing down steadily over the years in South Africa. But here, there is still some industrial activity that is obvious to notice.

It is here, where we found well known artist, Usher Sejarin, famous for her innovative use of material to creative art gems. Mainly large scale pieces that increasingly find homes in discerning collectors’ homes and other places hosing quality art. Such as museums.Usher these days is increasingly getting corporate commissions.

S we arrived at a none-discreet building whose façade gives you the impressions that nothing happens inside, we found Usher waiting for us. Sanding at the entrance of a building that one would think at face value, was one of the factories dotted around Ophirton. I was struck that she creates those great works from a place one would not immediately think of it as home to one of the country’s critically acclaimed artists.

“You have not visited my studios?” She remarked when I told her that I did not know till that moment, that she has a studio in that part of town. I could not wait to go inside. Actually I was a bit embarrassed that overcame by curiosity about how the studio would look like in such a building, such an area in Johannesburg, I quickly passed he. I could no longer wait to go inside and see what Usher was cooking in this building, which from the outside, did not look like one would find an artist studio.

Boy, what a massive space. In fact, it is more like an industrial complex than an artist studio.  In that massive studio, the touring team got to see several art works in different stages of completion that Usher was working on. Many expressed an appreciation that they could immediately recognise the works as Usher’s-typical style. A sense of familiarity with the artists’s style registered on the face of some audience members, particularly small pieces resembling her public art piece at Radisson Blu Hotel on Oxford Road,in Dunkeld, Johannesburg.

It is here, where Usher told the touring team that she was almost done competing a major commission from a German town that in recent years, was plunged into international controversy, when Germany’s police officials, a detained ad and tortured a man from Sierra Leone they suspected of being a drug mole.

“The police used a certain method of torture on him, so that he would take out drugs that he had swallowed. He indeed, had swallowed drugs as it turned out. But, they continued to torture him even after he had vomited the drugs. He died. So, this was followed by a huge international outcry about how the police handled that issue.

“And recently, that German town took out a call for artists to create art about the incident. I answered that call. You see, the city is known for its brand of coffee that is highly regarded. Ironically most of that coffee is sourced from Africa. And so this piece made of coffee material, goes deep exploring the issue of colonialism in Africa by European countries and extraction,” Usher said.

It is at this stage when an alignment between Ushers art practice intersected with corporate practice. And so, well-known South African coffee brand, Motherland Coffee, has collaborating with Usher as she uses coffee material in her art practice, among other materials. In fact, one of the strength of her art practice is the imaginative use of materiality in art making.

A representative from Motherland Coffee, which sources its coffee from the rest of the continent on the basis of the fair use principle, went on to explain why they are collaborating with Usher.

“I am participating for the first time in Conra.Joburg. Normally, my work is large scale. But, I also make small scale works for those who may be interested in them.And therefore, it is here, where I work Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm. I have two other people who work with me, but today I am alone.

“However when I have a big commission, I have as many people as about 20 to assist me,” Usher said.

And therefore Contra.Joburg this year, looks interesting.

More than 170 artists. 16 creative spaces. Two very different days. One city to explore.

Forget the conventional art fair as a single destination. On 29 and 30 August 2026, Contra.Joburg invites visitors to experience Johannesburg through the artists, makers, performers and creative communities who make the city South Africa’s richest creative and cultural destination.

Now in its fifth year, Contra.Joburg brings together emerging and established artists across studios, galleries, creative spaces and heritage buildings – with Rosebank joining the route this year.

 What makes Contra different is that the art stays close to the people and places where it is made. Visitors can step into working studios, meet artists, see performances in unexpected places, make things themselves, eat, drink and discover parts of Johannesburg they may never normally encounter.

And the two days are deliberately different.

Saturday is for spectacle. Sunday is for getting closer.

Saturdaytakes visitors into the energy of the city, with live performance, dance, art, architecture, making and music.

Start at the historic Rand Club, where Thabo Pie’s RDP (Redevelopment & Deconstruction Programme) brings live performance into one of Johannesburg’s most distinctive heritage spaces. Explore contemporary African photography on the fourth floor, before Joburg Ballet transforms the Rand Club into a living stage at 14:30.

From there, head to Jozi Gold Brewing Company for a brewery tour and tasting with the master brewer, before ending the day with acclaimed bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli performing live at 18:30.

There is also plenty to discover along the Saturday route, including Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Asisebenze Art Gallery, The Bus Factory, Little Artists School, Play Braamfontein and Creative Uprising at Transwerke – where visitors can meet artists and makers and, along the way, make their own resistance poster.

Sunday

Sunday gets closer to the creative heart of the city.

 Start at August House, where the Kids’ Area offers art-making, face painting and hands-on creative activities, while A Gritty Fairytale, live music from DJ Jupiter King and the Different Is Good Market bring the building to life. Child minders will be available at the Kids’ Area, and activities are free for children attending Contra.

At Ellis House, visitors can explore five floors of open studios, while at Victoria Yards become part of BodyWeaving, an interactive artwork made with people, movement and thread.

The Sunday route also includes Living Artists Emporium, Oovookoo and the working studio of renowned artist Usha Seejarim, offering a rare opportunity to see artists in their own creative environments.

For those who want to shop, collect or simply browse, there are local markets and makers, plus 74 artworks on auction entitled “Collect Contra”, in partnership with Stephan Welz &Co. Visitors can also discover conservation framing, iconic USM modular furniture and chocolates that look like miniature artworks at 223 Jan Smuts.

“Different is good because Johannesburg itself is different,” says Contra.Joburg founder Sara Hallatt. “There is no single way to experience the city, and there shouldn’t be a single way to experience its art. Contra.Joburg is about meeting artists where they work, while discovering parts of the city you might not otherwise encounter.”

What kind of Contra person are you?

The Studio Snooper will want to see unfinished work, paint-splattered floors and where the ideas happen. The Maker can create a resistance poster, try mosaicing and become part of BodyWeaving. The Performance Person can build a weekend around Thabo Pie, Joburg Ballet, Moving into Dance Mophatong Trust and Imbali Visual Literacy Project dance collaboration, award-winning bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli and DJ and musician Jupiter King.

Family Explorers will love the August House Kids’ Area and BodyWeaving on Sunday. And for anyone who wants a bit of everything, there is always the weekend pass.

Contra is designed to be enjoyed at your own pace. Spend an hour in a studio, discover a new gallery, meet a maker, walk into a building you have never visited, buy an artwork, have lunch or catch a performance – then hop on a shuttle and see where Joburg takes you next.

Book the full weekend. You will not see the same Contra twice.

The festival’s hop-on-hop-off shuttle service is included in the ticket price, operating every 20 minutes from 10:00, with two loops running east and west. Shuttles operate to and from Candice Berman Gallery at 223 Creative Hub in Rosebank and Stephan Welz & Co in Waverley.

Please note: Joburg Ballet at Rand Club and Herbie Tsoaeli at Jozi Brewing Company require additional tickets.

At a glance

Contra.Joburg Art Festival
29–30 August 2026 | 10:00–17:00
More than 170 artists and makers
Inner city, Braamfontein and Rosebank
Hop-on-hop-off shuttles included in ticket price
Family-friendly, with dedicated activities for children

Tickets:Book Contra.Joburg tickets
Website: See the full programme at Contra.Joburg