Art
Art Battle gives you 20 minutes to paint a masterpiece — and the audience decides who wins
The Art Battle format is simple. Artists paint live in front of an audience. They have 20 minutes to complete their painting. And whoever the audience likes best wins.
The original idea, says co-founder Simon Plashkes, was kind of an exercise in democracy. When the event series was started back in 2009, he says, the goal was to let an audience decide who the best artist is, rather than “the ivory towers and the gated galleries.”
In the intervening decade-and-change since its founding, the Battle has gone national — starting with events in Vancouver and Halifax in 2011 — and then international, after merging with a group in New York that was doing something similar. This year’s Canadian National Championship, featuring artists who won regional competitions across the country, will take place at The Great Hall in Toronto.
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The competition will consist of two 20-minute rounds and one 30-minute round. Winners will get $2,500 and a place at the World Championship. The Toronto championship will also have legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Lanois and his band help set the stage sonically.
The artists come from a variety of backgrounds. They include both self-taught and formally trained artists, as well as people who work primarily in other media — including things like animation and tattooing — who have branched out into competitive painting.
“Anybody who’s at that [national championship] level, they have incredible fundamental artistic skills,” says Plashkes. “But also with timed competition, there’s a lot of interesting dynamics that come out. There’s an element of showmanship strategy… You definitely need some kind of an ‘aha’ moment in your work.”
Jace Junggyu Kim qualified after winning a regional competition in Vancouver. Kim says he’s been drawing his entire life and started his professional career as an animator, but after a while, he found himself chafing at the restrictions of his career. He started participating in Art Battle as a way of introducing himself to the Vancouver art scene.
“I wanted creative freedom,” he says.
Kim says that he has a secret weapon when it comes to competitive painting: he’s ambidextrous, using both hands at the same time. Growing up in Korea — where he lived until moving to British Columbia at 15 — his mom tried to make the naturally left-handed Kim right-handed, fearing that he’d be discriminated against. Instead, the training made it so that he can use both.
Kim says that the two hands operate differently. “My genuine expression is always with my left hand; I use my right for more sort of didactic [work],” he explains.
Audiences, he says, always respond well to his work.
“A lot of people appreciate the process,” he says. “One of the great things about our model is people being able to witness what is being done, and then they can appreciate the work more… They actually integrate their experience so that they’re understanding the work better.”
Kervens Fils had to take the long road to the National Championship. After finishing second at a Montreal qualifier, the St-Lambert, Que.-based artist decided to take another kick at the can at an event in Quebec City, where he won and punched his ticket to Toronto. Fils has a day job doing a very different sort of art: he’s been working as a tattooist for 10 years. He says he started doing oil paintings six or seven years ago, just as an additional challenge.
Fils says his secret to Art Battle success is practice. More specifically, he gets ready by doing 10-minute paintings at home. By the time he’s ready to compete, the Battle’s 20-minute clock feels downright luxurious.
“The extra 10 minutes can just be for finishing touches and stuff,” he says, adding that his strategy is to “avoid details at the beginning, start roughly, and then just put the details at the end.”
Win or lose, however, Fils says the best part about Art Battle is how — as someone who doesn’t usually work in traditional art media — it’s allowed him to connect to a larger community of like-minded artists.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet people, to meet new artists and put yourself out there,” he says. “I’m not really a ‘people person,’ but Art Battle really helps with connecting people.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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