At La Teinturerie, from July 9 to August 4, Jonny R’Afa is unveiling around twenty works, including ten brand-new pieces, which reflect his perspective on Malagasy heritage, emotions, and collective memory.
With forty years of career behind him, a constant passion, and an undiminished desire to share his craft, Jonny R’Afa—whose real name is Jonny Andriamanankoavy—is back in Madagascar. He is presenting a retrospective at La Teinturerie featuring about twenty works, including a dozen new creations. Through this exhibition, running from July 9 to August 4, the artist shares the emotions that fuel his work and invites the public to take a sensitive look at Malagasy identity and heritage.
Created in large formats and printed on PVC for distance visibility, his works are executed using ballpoint pens, specialized markers, or India ink. They are distinguished by meticulous hatching and shading techniques, which have become his artistic signature.
His inspiration stems primarily from his own life experiences. “I am inspired by what I feel every day. Heritage is always present in my work, as are emotions, sorrows, and social realities. I try to contribute to the collective memory,” he explains. Through this exhibition, the artist highlights the natural, cultural, and artistic heritage of Madagascar while offering reflections on society and life’s choices.
For him, art goes far beyond entertainment. “What I sell is emotion and inspiration. It comes from the heart. Sharing this emotion with the public is what makes my work so exciting,” he adds. As part of his commitment to passing on his knowledge, he will host workshops open to all at La Teinturerie every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
These meetings will offer children a space for artistic and cultural awakening, while allowing the general public to discover various visual arts practices.
When asked about the feasibility of making a living from painting, Jonny Andriamanankoavy admits that the path remains demanding. Buyers are most often foreigners capable of appreciating the specificities of his work. “You can make a living from it, provided you love to search, persevere, and never give up,” he says. This is also why he chose La Teinturerie, which he describes as a “place of struggle” for artists.
A professional illustrator for four decades, Jonny Andriamanankoavy presented his first exhibition in 1987 at the Carlton, in collaboration with the Alliance Française. Later trained in sculpture, he also taught at the Cercle Germano-Malagasy (CGM). Having worked with color painting for a long time, he now favors black and white. “Black and white has a particular power,” he asserts. “Where colors offer multiple shades, this approach imposes definitive choices.”
A multi-faceted artist, Jonny R’Afa is also a musician. Rewarded as early as primary school by President Tsiranana, he plays the valiha, guitar, bass, and sodina. As a composer, singer, and author, he also writes poems, some of which accompany this exhibition. He currently has a repertoire of around a hundred songs and is planning the release of a CD.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-11 06:43:12 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/peinture-jonny-rafa-expose-une_01122306149.html