Viviane Rakotoarivony, a self-taught photographer from Madagascar, has built a career on capturing intimate and often overlooked narratives of her homeland. Born and based in Antananarivo, she has spent more than two decades honing her craft, moving from painting to photography, and developing a documentary practice rooted in social engagement and empathy.
Her photographic journey began in 2003, inspired initially by her passion for painting, but it was behind the camera that she discovered her true calling. By 2011, Rakotoarivony held her first exhibition at No Comment Gallery in Antananarivo, presenting a body of work on Madagascar’s emblematic zebu cattle. That same spirit of curiosity and connection has guided her ever since, leading to collaborations with international NGOs such as UN OCHA, CBM, and The End Fund.
Centering Social Realities
Rakotoarivony’s practice is deeply embedded in the social realities of Madagascar. In 2012, she began Mother, a personal project exploring the raw experiences of childbirth—ecstasy, anxiety, and postpartum depression. Her perspective as both an artist and a mother has shaped her ability to approach such topics with sensitivity, compassion, and honesty.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rakotoarivony turned her lens on those most affected by the economic fallout in Antananarivo. Her striking portraits of individuals living day to day, hand to mouth, became a haunting testament to resilience in crisis. This body of work was recognized by the Fonds de Dotation H.Y. and exhibited at Hakanto Contemporary Gallery from October 2021 for six months.
Much of Rakotoarivony’s work reflects her commitment to long-term projects. She has been documenting the complexities of motherhood in Madagascar for more than a decade, including her ongoing series Children Raising Children, which sheds light on teenage mothers navigating parenthood. Her images not only serve as visual testimonies but also aim to spark conversation among NGOs, policymakers, and communities about finding sustainable solutions to social challenges.
In late 2023, she began an intimate documentary project on 18-year-old twin sisters struggling with drug addiction. This work continues to resonate with her deeply, both personally and artistically, as she captures the fragile balance between vulnerability and survival.
Breaking Ground in Malagasy Photography
Rakotoarivony has achieved several milestones in the Malagasy contemporary art scene. She was the first photographer to be exhibited at Is’art Gallery in Antananarivo with her project Tano-Ora (Holding the Time), a body of work evoking themes of strength and sexuality at a young age. The project later traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013. She has also collaborated with the European Union on an initiative aimed at improving education in public elementary schools across Madagascar.
Now in artistic residency at the French Institute of Madagascar, Rakotoarivony continues to refine her visual storytelling practice. Her photography is not only about documentation but also about advocacy—creating images that can open dialogue, build empathy, and inspire action.
Through her lens, Madagascar’s stories—whether of mothers, children, workers, or those living on the margins—are given dignity, depth, and permanence. Viviane Rakotoarivony stands as a vital voice in contemporary African photography, illuminating the humanity at the heart of social struggle.
