Exhibition views of Kabarin-javakanto: a reading of Collection Fondation H, 2026 © Fondation H
Kabarin-javakanto: a reading of Collection Fondation H
Curated by Abdellahb Karroum
Fondation H, Antanarivo, Madagascar.
Kabarin-javakanto: A Reading of the Collection Fondation H, curated by Abdellah Karroum, presents the Collection Fondation H through a new curatorial lens inspired by kabary, the Malagasy tradition of public oratory. Bringing together works by artists from Africa and beyond, the exhibition unfolds as a dialogue across generations, geographies, and artistic practices, exploring shared questions of memory, transmission, craftsmanship, ecology, language, and social transformation. Rather than following a chronological narrative, the exhibition creates meaningful encounters between artworks, inviting visitors to reflect on the cultural, historical, and political relationships they reveal.
Among the featured artists, M'barek Bouhchichi presents Constellation 1 (2024), a powerful installation first shown at the 16th Sharjah Biennial and co-produced by the Sharjah Art Foundation and Fondation H. Through engraved ceramic vessels inspired by ancient forms, Bouhchichi reflects on language, erased histories, water, and the ongoing struggle for memory and justice. His practice, deeply rooted in questions of Black identities, cultural heritage, and visibility, resonates with the exhibition's broader exploration of history and collective remembrance.
The exhibition also includes work by Sara Ouhaddou whose practice investigates traditional craft techniques, material knowledge, and the transmission of cultural heritage. Woven/Unwoven #10, (2018) was developed through a long-term collaboration between the artist, embroidery students, and local artisans, this work emerged from years of dialogue, experimentation, and shared learning. Created in partnership with the Trankat residency and Dar Sanaa School of National Crafts and Arts in Tetouan, the project reimagines traditional embroidery techniques by applying them to reclaimed rubber sourced from informal recycling networks. Drawing on the floral motifs characteristic of Tetouan embroidery, the participants transformed them into celestial constellations, bridging heritage and contemporary creation. By expanding the possibilities of embroidery beyond its conventional forms, the work both celebrates living craft traditions and demonstrates how collective knowledge can evolve through collaboration.
