Yasmine Fidimalala, an artist reflecting the colors of her canvases

To fill a canvas, this 42-year-old Malagasy painter and visual artist needs a lot.

A lot of intoxicating colors, a strong conviction for Malagasy cultural values increasingly overlooked, immense strength to fight and denounce societal issues through art, and taboos in traditional culture. She also carries profound respect and admiration for women. Yasmine’s works of art have so much to say that it’s hard to stop and not try to uncover their hidden meanings.

Symbolized by the head of a female zebu, the artist’s signature speaks for itself: if she has a cause to defend, it is the feminine cause. This is why she chose *Volavita*, a variety of female zebu, as her artistic stamp.

Through her works, she loves to interpret both the powers and struggles of women. Apart from the female zebu Volavita, the water buckets depicted in her canvases also embody women, representing their power to give life. The bucket takes the form of a pregnant woman, capable of carrying water, much like a woman who carries a baby in her womb. It also speaks for young rural girls, constrained by traditional taboos that prevent discussions about sexuality between parents and children, leaving them confused and vulnerable. These girls may taste the forbidden fruit too early, only to realize later they have entered a dark tunnel with no end.

From one canvas to another, many cultural symbols can also be seen: an *aloalo* (a totem), an ancestral tomb, or a cartwheel symbolizing life’s ups and downs—moments of great success followed by times of hitting rock bottom. Another recurring motif is the tamboho gasy (a traditional wall), which the artist uses to express resilience and longevity. According to Yasmine, Malagasy culture, despite its current state, should resist and stand immortal like this simple yet enduring wall.

A committed woman, Yasmine provides training in visual arts at the NGO Ketsa in Vontovorona, a center that supports the education of children from low-income families in and around Vontovorona. The center offers various subjects, including IT, artistic activities, circus performances with the Aléas des Possibles troupe, dance, and theater. 

Artistic workshops are held every Monday during the school year, following a shared concept among all art facilitators: fostering children’s growth, self-esteem, and creative potential.

Beyond occasional events where Yasmine’s talents are showcased in hotel lobbies, art galleries, or open spaces, a private artistic detour to her studio, named Zaridaina Miafina or Secret Garden, nestled in the heart of Ambohimirary in Antananarivo, can be arranged for curious travelers, art enthusiasts, or anyone wishing to combine art with their journey.

Olive Ramarozatovo