Liberty Battson is a South African conceptual artist who treats art as a universal visual language
designed to be decoded, rather than an elite understanding to be feared. Born and raised in Benoni,
Battson's practice is defined by a playful, truth-centered approach that seeks to dismantle the
stereotype that art is "too hard to understand." By creating works that encourage active engagement,
she uses humor and play as a way to lower the viewer's internal defenses, making space for a more
honest dialogue about the topical issues we face today - from poverty and government failure to global
instability.
Battson earned her BA(FA) with distinction from the University of Pretoria in 2013, where she
pioneered the use of automotive paint on canvas to create high-gloss, accessible imagery. Her career
was launched into the international spotlight when she won the prestigious Absa L'Atelier competition
in 2014, following a Sasol New Signatures Merit Award in 2013 and a Thami Mnyele Fine Arts merit
award in 2012. Her work has been featured at the Venice Architecture Biennale (2016) and major
national festivals including KKNK and Aardklop. Solely represented by Everard Read/CIRCA since 2016,
Battson's debut solo exhibition traveled from The Absa Gallery to CIRCA Cape Town, establishing her
as a vital, engaging voice in contemporary art. Her international footprint includes representation
in London and Belgium, as well as multiple residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris
and Mas de Gravieres in Provence.
Battson's work is held in numerous high-profile public and private collections, including Telkom,
Sasol, Ellerman House, Absa, and Nando's Corporate Collection (London). In her latest exhibition,
Song and Dance, Battson continues her mission to make truth accessible. By reinterpreting the Old
Masters with a sharp, humorous lens, she invites her audience to participate in the "commotion" of
modern life, proving that when we laugh and engage, we become much more capable of understanding the
world around us.
