Is'Art Gallery is an exhibition and sales space for contemporary art by Malagasy and international artists in Antananarivo, in the Ampasanimalo district. It is also home to the cultural association La Teinturerie (the premises were formerly a dye works and laundry) and an excellent address for a night out or meeting friends in the capital. Here you'll discover the immense talent of Malagasy artists!

The Heart of Contemporary Malagasy Art

The history of Is'Art Gallery begins in 1999 at the initiative of Richard Razafindrakoto and Rafalimanana Ndremo. The name at that time was ISA atelier galerie (Innovation and Synergy for Art). The founders' objective was to share and promote contemporary art, by teaching visual arts to children in the neighborhood and organizing cultural and artistic events. Training artists and supporting their careers was also the goal. Today, one of those artists has taken up the torch and hopes to raise it as high as possible: Tahina Rakotoarivony.

The gallery has 28 employees, including around ten artists, all working to promote Malagasy art. Several disciplines are therefore showcased: painting, visual arts, sculpture, photography, music, cinema… The "artists' marketplace" forms an artistic collective bringing together writers and performers, dancers, singers and storytellers. The gallery is an unconventional and welcoming space composed of an exhibition room, a shop for clothing, decoration and designer furniture, as well as a bar area with a stage.

A Haven for Artists and a Social Hub

The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and serves as a delightful venue for nights out. The weekly schedule is always packed:

• Wednesday: lecture and quiz from 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: opening reception
• Friday: concert
• Saturday: workshops for children with fresh juice bar and refreshments throughout the day
• Sunday (occasional): various workshops (topics: geometric forms, etc.)

The gallery is a meeting place for artists from Madagascar and around the world. International artists are equally celebrated, notably Kim Yip Tong, Léopold Rabus and Émilie Blue recently. Each year, on average 12 exhibitions, 48 concerts and 48 lectures are organized. Here, artists from any discipline feel at home, accepted as they are. Those traveling to Madagascar also enjoy spending time at the gallery.

Championing and Elevating Malagasy Artists

Is'Art Gallery, first and foremost, is the cultural association La Teinturerie, dedicated to promoting and elevating the artist profession. In Madagascar, artists are classified among liberal professions and receive no special status. Art schools don't exist, leaving them to fend for themselves. The association aspires for this profession to be well-structured, ensuring all artists can access appropriate health coverage and retirement insurance, and forming a union to protect their rights.

It also aims to ensure that artists are more sought after and actively participate in Madagascar's economy. From a social perspective, the association pursues public art education and the embellishment of the city. The walls of Antananarivo are already adorned with murals created by Is'Art Gallery artists: Antaninarenina, Haute Ville, ORTANA, Andohalo gardens, and others. In the provinces, their works can be seen in Diego at the Alliance Française and the Youth Center, as well as in Majunga on Sôma Beach. Artists willingly accept private commissions, such as a recent one for a hostel in Nosy Be where they brought the gallery's atmosphere to life. Exchange, artistic propagation and continued training of mentors continues…

Freedom and Expression

The artists of Is'Art Gallery are rich in expression, letting their creative spirit and soul shine through their work. Painting, photography, sculpture, design, video installation and graphic novels transport viewers to another world, universe, time… From the moment you step into the gallery, you sense you've entered a place apart. In Malagasy works, the themes naturally explore Malagasy culture, daily life, society and politics. International artists bring their visions of the world, but focus on subjects universal to all—namely humanity, spirituality, peace, and so on. The next theme for the gallery artists' murals will be "death." This theme was selected for the urban art festival, taking place from October 19 to November 4, 2018 in Antananarivo. Worth seeing…