When Malagasy-French entrepreneur Hassanein Hiridjee purchased a textile work by Malagasy artist Madame Zo in 2010, it marked the beginning of an enduring personal commitment. More than fifteen years later, art permeates nearly every aspect of his daily life. His collection is displayed not only in his private residence and corporate offices but also at Fondation H—the contemporary art foundation he established in Antananarivo—and even inside the departure lounge at Ivato International Airport in Madagascar’s capital.
“I am blessed. I am lucky enough to have artworks everywhere I am,” Hiridjee said, noting that the pieces serve as a constant source of inspiration. Outside his artistic patronage, Hiridjee serves as the chief executive officer of AXIAN Group, a diversified holding company operating across the Indian Ocean region and Africa in sectors including energy, telecommunications, financial services, fintech, and real estate. Born in Antananarivo in 1975, he graduated from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris Business School in 1997, worked in finance, and eventually returned to Madagascar to helm his family’s enterprise alongside his brother, Amin.
In 2017, Hiridjee launched Fondation H, marking Madagascar’s first private art foundation. He characterizes the institution as an “art university” dedicated to promoting Malagasy creators alongside broader artistic talent from across the African continent. Three years ago, the foundation relocated into a 2,200-square-meter facility housed within a revamped, century-old colonial-era central post and telegraph building. The expansive cultural venue features free exhibition spaces, a library, an artist studio, a café, a garden, and a courtyard.
The foundation’s exhibitions reflect the depth and geographical range of its holdings, which expand by approximately 100 works annually. Recent programming has featured solo presentations by artists such as M’barek Bouhchichi and group exhibitions like “Kabarin-Javakanto,” which brought together works from around 40 artists spanning multiple nations, including Joël Andrianomearisoa, Ghada Amer, El Anatsui, Abdoulaye Konaté, Otobong Nkanga, and Kapwani Kiwanga. Hiridjee describes the repository as a living, expanding collection that captures a rich diversity of perspectives.
While declining to single out a definitive favorite, Hiridjee highlights Billie Zangewa’s piece “Quiet Contemplation” for its powerful portrayal of domestic bonding and unity in a fragmented world. This philosophy of integration extends directly into the corporate sphere. At the headquarters of Yas, an Antananarivo-based telecommunications firm under the AXIAN umbrella, Moffat Takadiwa’s keyboard-key sculpture “1930 Land Apportionment” hangs in the boardroom to complement the company’s mission. Similar collaborative curation guides art placements across other corporate units.
In his private residence, where he curates spaces alongside his wife, works by Yinka Shonibare, Youssef Nabil, and Ghada Amer—including the bronze sculpture “The Words I Love the Most”—grace the walls. For Hiridjee, living among these pieces creates a profound connection to personal and cultural heritage. “Living with art means knowing where you’re coming from, because the artwork brings you to who you are, what you belong to, and your roots,” he reflected.
Fondation H is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary alongside the Prix Paritana, an annual award celebrating artists from Madagascar and its diaspora. The institution will launch two major contemporary exhibitions on November 13: a solo showcase titled “Masoandro amam-bolana” (“Of the Sun and the Moon”) featuring inaugural Prix Paritana winner Temandrota, and a retrospective group exhibition curated by N’Goné Fall highlighting 21 past winners and runners-up. Both exhibitions are scheduled to run through April 24, 2027.
Through personal acquisitions, institutional patronage, international exchanges, and monograph publications, Hiridjee maintains an unyielding optimism for the region’s cultural landscape. His philanthropic footprint also extends internationally, including support for Benin’s Fondation Zinsou. “We must be proud of what we are doing and we must be proud of our future,” Hiridjee said. “The future is bright and artists will bring a huge, massive contribution to the development of the continent and the world.”
