Foundation H Gallery, Madagascar, is preparing to present “Safiotra [Hybridities/Hybridités]” by Yinka Shonibare. Opening on April 11th, 2025, until February 28th, 2026, this exhibition will showcase Shonibare’s work alongside Foundation H’s collection. The expansive collection features artists like Abdoulaye Konaté, Ouattara Watts, Leilah Babirye, and Yaw Owusu. This also marks Shonibare’s first solo exhibition on the African continent and will span two decades of his career.
“Safiotra,” meaning “hybrid” in Malagasy, reflects the exhibition’s core theme: the blending of identities in a globalized world. Just as hybridization occurs in nature, the movement of people of African descent across the globe creates new forms of “blackness” and “Africanness.” This convergence of realities fosters unique outcomes for individuals, places, and even cultures.
6000 hardback books, Dutch wax printed cotton textiles, gold foiled names.
Variable Dimensions. Image courtesy of Foundation H Gallery.
Based in Madagascar, Foundation H actively supports the country’s creative scene. This exhibition will include discussions and performances featuring local and international figures. To further artistic development, Foundation H has partnered with the Guest Artists Space (GAS) Foundation. Utilizing Shonibare’s “African Library 2018” installation—comprising over 6,000 books wrapped in Dutch wax print fabric and featuring the names of influential post-colonial African leaders—this collaboration aims to connect Malagasy and Lagos through cross-residency programs.
Shonibare is of Nigerian descent but who studied in the UK. With his art, he challenges colonial perspectives by incorporating African fabrics like Kitenge and Batik into his sculptures and artworks. “Safiotra” reflects his journey as a hybrid, exploring his body of work within the context of global African experiences. The exhibition will feature works by other influential African artists, such as Zanele Muholi and Ibrahim Mahama, selected by Shonibare to further explore the hybridity of Africanness.
Highlights include iconic sculptures like “Refugee Astronaut X” (2024), created during Shonibare’s time in Madagascar. The exhibition will also showcase works from his “Hybrid Mask” and “Hybrid Sculpture” series, including three “Decolonized Structures” from his Serpentine (London) solo show, as well as earlier pieces like “Alien Man on Flying Machine” (2011) and “Alien Woman on Flying Machine” (2011).
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