From April 11, 2025 to February 28, 2026, Fondation H invites British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare for a carte blanche entitled Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities], marking his first major showcase on the African continent. The exhibition occupies the 2,200-square-meter Fondation H building in downtown Antananarivo.
The solo exhibition features artwork spanning 20 years of Shonibare’s career, including The African Library (2018), part of Fondation H’s permanent collection. This monumental installation comprises 6,000 books wrapped in Dutch wax print fabric, each embossed with the name of a personality who shaped postcolonial Africa. The installation is complemented by a digital interface providing historical and biographical information about these figures.
The exhibition also presents a series of iconic sculptures by Yinka Shonibare, such as Refugee Astronaut X (2024), created by the artist in the context of Madagascar. It further includes works from his series Hydrid Mask and Hybrid Sculpture, three Decolonized Structures from Yinka Shonibare’s 2024 solo show at the Serpentine (London), and earlier works like Alien Man on Flying Machine (2011) and Alien Woman on Flying Machine (2011).
Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities] is enriched by a curated selection from the Fondation H collection, chosen by Shonibare. This complementary exhibition features works by 20 artists, including Kelani Abass (Nigeria), Malika Agueznay (Morocco), Amina Agueznay (Morocco), El Anatsui (Ghana), Leilah Babirye (Uganda), Virginia Chihota (Zimbabwe), Safaa Erruas (Morocco), Jems Koko Bi (Côte d’Ivoire), Abdoulaye Konaté (Mali), Ibrahim Mahama (Ghana), Zanele Muholi (South Africa), Ouattara Watts (Côte d’Ivoire/USA), and Madame Zo (Madagascar). The curated dialogue explores the construction of African history post-independence.
The Malagasy word “safiotra” conveys the idea of hybridization—a fusion of two elements or identities that create a new entity while preserving their distinct characteristics. When applied to humans, it denotes a person of mixed heritage who integrates elements of both origins without being confined to either. This concept extends to objects, ideas, or concepts born from the convergence of contrasting realities.
Fondation H has organized a diverse array of events and activities for the Malagasy public. The opening highlight on April 11–12, 2025, features discussions and performances involving local and international personalities. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fondation H hosts public events, including conferences, lectures, workshops, performances, and screenings. Tailored tours and workshops are conducted year-round for specific audiences, such as children aged 6 to 14 (through school partnerships and children’s aid organizations) and disabled visitors, with accessible tours offered in Malagasy Sign Language or adapted formats in collaboration with NGOs.
A partnership has also been set up between Fondation H and G.A.S. Foundation, a foundation created by the artist in 2019 in Nigeria. Taking The African Library as a starting point, Fondation H and G.A.S. Foundation are proposing a cross-residency program, bringing together Antananarivo and Lagos.
An exhibition catalog accompanies Safiotra [Hybridités/Hybridities], published in June 2025 by Fondation H. The trilingual catalog (French/Malagasy/English) includes exhibition views, artwork photographs, and five commissioned essays, including contributions from Gus Casely-Hayford (Director of V&A East, London) and Professor Tiana Razafindratsimba Dominique (expert in language science and interculturality, University of Antananarivo).
Source: Fondation H
