A dozen Auckland artists are set to clash in a vibrant display of creativity and speed at a live art competition on Dominion Road next year. The internationally acclaimed Art Battle event will take place on Friday, 7 February 2026, transforming Ballantyne Square in Mount Eden into an open-air arena for creative combat.
The public is invited to witness this carnival of colour, where 12 local artists will have just minutes to create the best work they can, with the audience holding the power to crown the champion. The event is free, alcohol-free, and open to all ages, making for an exciting summer afternoon outing for the whole community.
Art Battle is part of a global speed-painting movement that holds events in cities around the world. The format pits artists against each other in short, intense rounds of painting. Typically, artists are given 20 minutes to take a blank canvas to a finished work of art. After each round, the audience votes for their favourite creations, and the winning pieces are often auctioned off, giving attendees a chance to take home a piece of the action.
The Dominion Road event promises a festival atmosphere with MC Ellen Moana and DJ Blazem providing entertainment. There will also be spot prizes and $250 in giveaways from official partner Resene. The event is supported by a host of local organisations, including the Dominion Road Business Association, Eden Park, Barfoot & Thompson, and Crown Fine Art.
A diverse lineup of Auckland talent
Ten competitors have been confirmed, representing a wide spectrum of Auckland’s artistic community. The lineup features a mix of emerging talent, established artists, and creatives from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
Aaran Casey will bring his distinctive, high-energy graffiti style, which often incorporates hints of sarcasm and pop culture references like Disney. He works with a range of media, from posca pens and spray paint to sculpture and digital photography.
Representing the next generation of artists is 18-year-old Emily Kane, a fine arts student at the University of Auckland. A self-taught artist, she is deeply inspired by New Zealand’s native flora and fauna, frequently painting birds, flowers, and trees.
Also competing is Oliver Ridgen, a 19-year-old artist who only began painting two years ago but has developed a profound passion for capturing birds on canvas. He hopes his work will inspire a similar fascination in others.
Sophie Henwood, 23, is a recent graduate of the prestigious Elam School of Fine Arts. She describes her lifelong practice as having evolved into a quirky, spontaneous style that is primarily driven by joy.
Global experience meets local expression
The battle will also feature artists who bring a world of experience to the Dominion Road stage. Sandra Li, a Chinese artist based in Auckland, works as a graphic designer and art teacher. Her work is known for being vivid and character-filled, spanning both traditional and digital mediums.
Neelam, an artist from India now residing in Aotearoa, holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and has produced over 800 works in various styles. With a background in teaching, she says nature is her greatest inspiration.
Chilean-born Ignacia Hurtado, known as Icha Visual, is a self-described nomadic and curious artist. Her work encompasses painting, tattooing, and muralism, and she is currently delving into digital and interactive art. She has contributed to festival stages and live paintings during her travels in South America.
Zoe, the director of Artmind Studio, holds a Master’s in Animation Directing from the Beijing Film Academy. She blends naturalistic and Gothic styles in her oil paintings, which feature high-contrast colours and detailed compositions.
Valerie Maslennikova White brings a background in interior design to her art, with a an expert understanding of colour theory. She says she believes everyone has a unique colour aura and describes herself as an artist, mother, and "cosmophiliac".
Finally, Rachel Auer is a self-taught artist from Scotland who has called New Zealand home for seven years. As a new mother, she is rediscovering her artistic voice and says she is joining the battle to show that there is always space for self-expression, no matter one's stage in life.
How to get involved
The Art Battle is a free event, but those wishing to attend are encouraged to secure tickets through Eventbrite. The main event begins at 2:00 pm at Ballantyne Square, 328 Dominion Road, Mount Eden. Beyond attending in person, art lovers can watch the competition via a live stream on Art Battle's international YouTube channel. The live stream allows viewers to vote for their favourite artists and bid on the paintings created during the competition.
The event is one of many cultural experiences available in the city, which has a thriving arts scene. Events like the month-long music celebration from Auckland Live showcase the city's commitment to public art and performance. For artists inspired to take part in future competitions, Art Battle Auckland regularly opens registrations for its community battles via its website. Given the importance of consistent standards in public art, discussions around the Auckland vehicle disposal market plagued by inconsistent standards provide valuable context for maintaining quality across artistic endeavors.
For those looking for active pastimes, the city does not disappoint. Community sports are a big part of the Auckland lifestyle and organisations driving innovation in this space are regularly celebrated at a national level. In other news, Calgary guard Kylie Newman has committed to Acadia University for her post-secondary basketball career. The format and rules of Art Battle can be explored further on its official website.
Following the Dominion Road event, Art Battle will return to Auckland on 12 June for another competition.
