the B&W imagery of Pierrot Men

Born in 1954 in Midongy Southern, on the east coast of Madagascar, Pierrot Men lives and works in Fianarantsoa, ​​where he heads the largest photographic laboratory of the city, " Lab Men . " His relationship with photography can be traced to 1974, when he opened his first laboratory. However, at that time and for many years, photography is nothing more than a support (financial and artistic) to his first love, painting. Between identity and wedding photos, this situation will last for 17 years, until a friend showed a franchise that will change the course of his artistic activity: she told him bluntly that his photographs on which it is based to paint are better than their pictorial result. Thus it comes to abandon the bridge to devote himself entirely to photography.

The result is somewhat expected: in 1994 he was winner of Mother Jones (San Francisco), the reward is a Leica that has left since. This is the beginning of a recognition that today goes far beyond the borders of the Big Island. Won several prizes (Francophone Games in Madagascar in 1997, UNEP / Canon award in 2000 ...), the photographic work of Pierrot Men has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and publications.

It is difficult to summarize this work in a few words. His work expresses both the story and the author’s perception, imbued with humanism, protecting the dignity of its sbjects. Finely made, always with discretion, his images show an amazing ability to constantly portray the amazing environments of Madagascar. Men shoots primarily with a Leica M6, using 35 and 28 mm lenses. “ I essentially work in black and white,” Men says. “When I started there were no good color laboratories. The colors were false and that discouraged me. Therefore I work in black and white. I do everything from A to Z, black room, developing, framing etc. and I do not regret it.” In a country such as Madagascar, where the procurement of rudimentary photographic supplies is difficult at best, Men’s images tell a story about the photographer as well as the subject.