Joburg artists to take on first-ever Art Battle

Art Battle, the global live art tournament where artists compete and create; transforming blank canvases into finished works, amongst an audience; is coming to South Africa.

The first paint-off spectacle will happen at the opening of the Night of 1000 Drawings Festival of Art, at Victoria Yards, on 27 March. It will add another dimension to this festival that’s now a firm favourite amongst local artists, art and culture enthusiasts and socialites.

On the evening, 16 Gauteng-based artists will step up to the easel, to compete against the clock and for audience votes.  Blank canvases will be transformed into finished works, as everyone experiences the thrill of the evolving, individual creations. In three, 20-minute rounds, the audience cast their votes to determine who wins.  Within the vibey party atmosphere of deejays and music; they actively also help shape the creative process and inspire the artists to push their artistic boundaries further than ever.

Four competitors voted in during the first two rounds will go into the final. The winner of this gets into the South African National Art Battle Championships in October. The winner will then represent South Africa at the International Art Battle Championships in Tokyo at the end of October.

‘Art Battle Johannesburg’, is the first in a series that unfolds this year in: Soweto; Pretoria, Durban; Bloemfontein; Hoedspruit; Potchefstroom; Port Elizabeth; Stellenbosch and Cape Town.

 “South Africa has so many talented and charismatic, established and emerging artists.  There are hidden gems, of all ages and from all walks – and for some, creating art isn’t a profession, yet becoming a fulltime artist one day, is their dream.  Art Battle is the perfect opportunity to catapult all types into the limelight, to further establish themselves or get noticed. This is often very hard,” said Michael Walker of SL8, pioneer of the Art Battle brand locally,

Art Battle was created in 2001 in New York City, with the first event on the Houston Street thoroughfare, where interested people poured in to watch six artists “throw down” in black and white as they created an artwork, in one, quick, 90-minute round.

The environment for artists in New York at that time, was one of stiff competition; and many had ambitions of becoming the next art star – as exemplified by the likes of Warhol, Haring and Basquiat. At the same time, the gatekeepers of the art world held big power in determining who would be that next star.

“The environment in Johannesburg and other South African cities is similarly competitive and ambitious. Plus, there are even tougher social and economic barriers to success.  Everyone deserves an opportunity to show their commitment to their dreams. Art Battle provides this and lets the people decide who deserves a chance at global recognition,” added Walker.

Since inception in 2001, Art Battle it has grown to a global tournament that will happen in 50 cities this year. So, whether you’re a professional artist or an undiscovered gem who knows how to use mixed media and your cross-genre, artistic ability to create on canvas, Art Battle wants you!

 “We’re also super-excited about hosting the event at Victoria Yards, in inner city Johannesburg, that aligns to Art Battle’s values of building an inclusive creative economy by supporting upcoming artisans and communities around the world,” Walker said

Sign up as an artist for the March 27 event in Johannesburg.