Art and Soul: Inside Madagascar's Burgeoning Creative Scene
Mialy Razafintsalama: Pierrot Men is a legend here. His pictures are incredibly captivating and tell so many stories. Rijasolo also has a unique way of capturing a moment.
How would you describe your creative process, and what drives you as an artist?
I use a Fujifilm X-T30 II with 15–45mm and 56mm lenses to photograph landscapes and scenes of daily life. I want to highlight the cultural richness and diversity of Madagascar's remote regions. I also take simple portraits that reflect the path those around me and I take to rebuild our self-esteem. Many Malagasy people are not fully aware of the beauty and richness of our island. I want to show them that Madagascar is more than just the holiday spots of Mahajanga and Foulpointe beaches.
What are some of Antananarivo's most exciting creative hangouts?
La Teinturerie in Ampasanimao is the go-to place for artists, and Dune Coffee Shop in Ampandrana is a great place to meet fellow creatives. For nightlife, there's No Comment Bar in Isoraka and Custom Café in Ampasamadinika. IFM in Analakely and AFT in Andavamamba also host cultural events. When I need inspiration, I visit Ranomafana or Andasibe National Parks.
How did your Hakanto solo show, 'Sedran'ny Tany (The Trials of the Earth),' reflect the way you address environmental issues in your work?
'Sedran'ny Tany' is a series of 13 photographs selected from around 500 I took during a nine-day road trip along National Road 7, from Antananarivo to Toliara. The exhibition reflects the land's long struggle—how humans have contributed to its degradation, and how they're now seeking ways to live more sustainably. I try to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our land, and the real consequences of everyday actions—things many don't realize have a broader impact.
Sandra Ramiliarisoa
Textile artist Sandra Ramiliarisoa, 24, creates quietly powerful weavings from polyfloss—a recycled fiber developed by The Polyfloss Factory using a process inspired by cotton candy machines. Transforming plastic waste into wool-like threads, the material serves as both medium and message in Ramiliarisoa's work. She honed her practice through R'art Plast, a social enterprise founded by six young Malagasy artists from underprivileged neighborhoods in Antananarivo, all alumni of Ndao Hanavao—a training and innovation lab dedicated to social design.
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