Pierrot Men: Capturing the soul of Madagascar through photography

Pierrot Men is “the” photographer who best represents Madagascar through his stunning black-and-white photographs. This master of shadows and light has gained recognition and awards for his work, presenting the beauty of Malagasy landscapes and the dignity of its people to the world with poetic elegance.

A unique photographer

Chan Hong Men Pierrot, known as Pierrot Men, was born on November 21, 1954, in Midongy du Sud (southeastern Madagascar), to a Chinese father and a Franco-Malagasy mother. He resides in Fianarantsoa, where he runs a photo studio. While one of his five sons now manages the studio, Pierrot Men continues to work there.  Though he doesn’t fit the typical Malagasy profile, he masterfully represents his country through his photography. In his youth, he was eager to leave school to pursue his first love: painting. He opened a photography lab in 1974 to support himself and his family, primarily taking ID photos, wedding pictures, and baptism portraits.  

For personal enjoyment, he also captured photos to serve as references for his painting. Eventually, an artist friend convinced him that his photographs were more impactful than his paintings, leading him to fully commit to photography. Success soon followed—he participated in the African Photography Encounters in Bamako in 1991 and won the Leica Mothers Jones Prize in San Francisco in 1995.

Hauntingly beautiful photographs

Pierrot Men’s deep love for his country shines through in his work, with Madagascar serving as the central theme of his creations. He has a unique ability to capture the soul and beauty of the Malagasy people and landscapes. Many travelers have been inspired to visit Madagascar after seeing his photographs.  

While some might mistake his art as highlighting the poverty of the Malagasy people, Pierrot Men’s true focus is on their dignity. He poetically narrates the daily lives of the Malagasy, uncovering beauty and authenticity in unexpected contexts. As he aptly puts it: "You can only photograph well what you know best."  

His work brims with emotion, allowing viewers to instantly grasp the essence and beauty of Madagascar. His love for his hometown of Fianarantsoa is evident, as it features prominently in his photographs.

A Must-Visit showroom

A tireless enthusiast, Pierrot Men has accumulated a vast collection of photographs. He decided to share this treasure with the Malagasy people by opening his first showroom in Antananarivo. Located in the Tana Water Front shopping center in Ambodivona, the 55 m² gallery was envisioned as a space for exchange among photographers and artists (painters, photographers, writers, etc.).  Beyond sharing his passion and his works, the gallery highlights Madagascar’s beauty, often overlooked by pessimists. His exhibition at the Musée Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris (September 18, 2018 – January 1, 2019) was titled “18 Images to Tell the Daily Lives of the Malagasy and the Little Things We Forget to Notice.”  

Prior to this, he exhibited at the ARGENTIC Gallery (43 Rue Daubenton, 75005 Paris) from Thursday, September 13, 2018, to Saturday, October 20, 2018.  

For those planning a trip to Madagascar, you can also read the article on photography and videography in Madagascar to help prepare your equipment for your future journey.