Yinka Shonibare has brought his groundbreaking exhibition, “Safiotra [Hybridities],” to Fondation H in Madagascar, marking his first solo show on the African continent, per africanews.com. Opened on April 11, the exhibition explores themes of cultural convergence, post-colonial identity, and the fluidity of heritage through Shonibare’s signature Dutch wax fabrics and thought-provoking sculptures. Featuring striking works like the “Refugee Astronaut”—a wax-clad space traveller carrying Malagasy cultural symbols—the show challenges traditional notions of authenticity while celebrating Africa’s global contributions.
Shonibare, a Turner Prize nominee, is celebrated for his bold use of Dutch wax fabric—a textile with a complex colonial history. Originally inspired by Indonesian batik and mass-produced by Dutch manufacturers, the fabric was later adopted and reinvented across Africa, becoming a symbol of pan-African identity. In “Safiotra,” Shonibare uses this medium to question cultural ownership, migration and the evolving nature of heritage.
Among the exhibition’s most striking pieces is the “Refugee Astronaut,” a life-sized fiberglass sculpture dressed in vibrant wax print, carrying a valiha (a traditional Malagasy instrument) and other symbolic objects. The work serves as a metaphor for displacement, resilience, and the blending of traditions in an increasingly interconnected world.
Madagascar’s own history—a melting pot of African, Austronesian, Arab and European influences—makes it a compelling setting for Shonibare’s exploration of hybridity. Dominique Tiana-Razafindratsima, a humanities professor at the University of Antananarivo, notes that Malagasy society has often viewed “safiotra” (mixed identity) with skepticism, associating it with impurity.
“Shonibare’s work invites us to reconsider hybridity as the foundation of human identity,” she explains.
For Shonibare, the exhibition is a call to embrace complexity.
“When we create binary oppositions, we fuel division,” he says. “Hybridity reminds us that everyone contributes to world culture.” With “Safiotra,” he not only celebrates Africa’s influence but also challenges viewers to see identity as a dynamic, ever-evolving tapestry.
The exhibition runs until June 2025 at Fondation H, Antananarivo.
•Feature!image: ‘The Refugee Astronaut’/Sarah Tétaud/RFI
