Is’Art Galerie: Celebrating Malagasy contemporary art

Is’Art Galerie is a vibrant space for exhibiting and selling contemporary art by Malagasy and international artists in the Ampasanimalo neighborhood of Antananarivo. It also serves as the headquarters for the cultural association La Teinturerie (the site was previously a dye house/laundry), making it a great spot to meet up or enjoy a night out in the capital. It’s the perfect place to experience the immense talent of Malagasy artists!

The heart of Malagasy contemporary art

The history of Is’Art Galerie began in 1999 through the initiative of Richard Razafindrakoto and Rafalimanana Ndremo. At the time, it was called ISA Atelier Galerie (Innovation and Synergy for Art). The founders aimed to promote contemporary art by teaching visual arts to local children and organizing cultural and artistic events. Developing artists and supporting their careers were also central goals. Today, one of these artists, Tahina Rakotoarivony, has taken the reins and aspires to elevate the gallery even further.  

The gallery has 28 employees, including around 10 artists, all working to highlight Malagasy art across multiple disciplines:

- Painting  

- Visual arts 

- Sculpture  

- Photography 

- Music  

- Cinema

The “Comptoir des Artistes” (Artists' Counter) forms an artistic hub, bringing together writers, actors, dancers, singers, and storytellers. This unique and friendly space includes an exhibition hall, a boutique selling clothing, decorative items, and designer furniture, as well as a bar area with a stage.

A haven for artists and a cultural hub

Open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM, the gallery is a welcoming and lively venue with a packed weekly schedule:

• Wednesday: Conferences and quizzes starting at 5:30 PM
• Thursday : Exhibition openings
• Friday : Live concerts
• Saturday: Children’s workshops with a juice bar and snacks throughout the day
• Sunday (occasionally): Various workshops (themes include geometric shapes, etc.)

 The gallery is a space for meaningful exchanges between Malagasy and international artists. Renowned foreign artists, such as Kim Yip Tong, Léopold Rabus, and Émilie Blue, have also been showcased recently. Each year, the gallery organizes around 12 exhibitions, 48 concerts, and 48 conferences. Artists across disciplines feel at home here, celebrated and accepted as they are. Travelers passing through Madagascar also enjoy spending time at the gallery. 

Promoting and supporting Malagasy artists

At its core, Is’Art galerie is deeply linked to the cultural association La Teinturerie, which works to promote and elevate the status of artists. In Madagascar, artists are classified as freelancers and lack any special professional status. With no dedicated art schools, many are left to fend for themselves.

The association aims to:  

- Structure the profession, ensuring artists have access to suitable healthcare and retirement benefits.  

- Create a union to protect artists' rights.  

- Encourage artists to play a more significant role in the Malagasy economy.

From a social perspective, the association promotes public artistic education and the beautification of the city. The walls of Antananarivo already bear witness to the gallery’s impact, with murals decorating neighborhoods such as Antaninarenina, Haute Ville, ORTANA, and the Andohalo Garden. In the provinces, their works are visible in places like Diego (Alliance Française and Youth Center) and Majunga (Sôma Beach). The artists also accept private commissions, like the recent work completed for a hostel in Nosy Be, bringing the gallery’s ambiance to the space.

The association continues its mission to spread art, exchange ideas, and train new generations of artists.

Freedom and expression

The artists at Is’Art Galerie express their freedom of spirit and soul through their work. Painting, photography, sculpture, design, video installations, and comics transport visitors to other worlds, universes, and times. From the moment you enter the gallery, it is clear you are in a unique place.  

Malagasy works often explore themes of Malagasy culture, daily life, society, and politics. International artists bring their perspectives on global topics such as humanity, spirituality, and peace.  

The gallery’s next mural project will address the theme of “death,” selected for the urban art festival taking place from October 19 to November 4, 2018, in Antananarivo. A must-see event !