“I truly believe that this is just the beginning.” How the business leader came to spearhead the Madagascan art movement…
In the fourth episode of our Collecting Works series, art collector, business leader and philanthropist Hasnaine Yavarhoussen reflects on finding his passion for contemporary art and how he is building the framework for a thriving art ecosystem in Madagascar.
“I never decided to be a collector.” Stepping back to the late noughties while studying in Paris, he remembers his first visit to an art gallery. Although not intending to become a collector, he says he “was struck when I saw a piece by David Ratcliffe” and his father – a passionate ancient art collector – inspired him to purchase his first piece. From then, Yavarhoussen never looked back.
After returning to his homeland of Madagascar to join his family’s business in 2011, the budding art collector met Malagasy artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, who inspired him to begin his work in developing the local art scene.
In 2019, he supported the first Madagascar Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.”From the moment we agreed to be the sponsor, I thought it was essential that this project be beneficial, and that Madagascar should get something back” he says. This led to the launch of Fonds Yavarhoussen, an endowment fund which aims to reveal and support Madagascar’s rich cultural identity.
Following the Venice Biennale, the Fund supported the first non-profit art space in Madagascar: Hakanto Contemporary. The space focuses on uplifting local artists with residencies, educational programing and staging exhibitions to help produce Malagasy artists today. Aiming to engage the next generation, 75% of visitors are under the age of 35, which the founder says is a “great achievement” and is “starting to change daily life in the future of Madagascar.”
Stemming from a genuine passion for art, creativity and his homeland, the collector and philanthropist says his work shows “what can be achieved when you really believe in it, when you put the effort in.”
