Photography Solidarity: When Art Feeds the Future

Photography Solidarity is a project developed and produced by amateur photographer Jean-Marie Lebas.

At NORA-Madagascar, we believe that if you love a place, you have a responsibility to its future. Recently, we witnessed a profound “full-circle” moment on Île Sainte-Marie.

Jean-Marie Lebas, who has called these islands home for over 20 years, turned his deep bond with the community into a powerful catalyst for change.

The exhibition, “Photography Solidarity,” held at Hotel Libertalia, was more than a display of stunning images. It was a partnership where 100% of the proceeds were channeled directly into our School Nutrition Programme.

A Partnership Rooted in the Field

For Jean-Marie, choosing NORA as a partner was about trust and proximity.

“When I launched this project, I immediately thought of NORA-Madagascar. The reason is simple” he explains “NORA and its founder are based here in Sainte-Marie. And it is very important to me to know that the projects implemented here are directly supervised and carried out by its founder and a local team, that they are fully immersed in the island’s communities, and that they address real and visible needs.”

From “Taking” Photos to Giving Back

He shares our core belief: Malnutrition is the greatest obstacle to education. You cannot teach a hungry child, and you cannot build a future on an empty stomach.

The journey to this exhibition was not easy. It took eight months of work – shooting in Sainte-Marie, printing in Paris, and framing in Antananarivo. It was a process filled with enjoyment, but also exhaustion and doubt. What kept Jean-Marie going was the motivation to use his craft for social change.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in a country where children’s basic needs and welfare are met; where personal development and exposure to cultural and artistic activities are a natural part of their education. I therefore remain humble, for here the needs are immense. At the same time, knowing that practicing what remains, for me, a hobby will enable children in our villages to have access to a healthy, balanced diet for a few days, perhaps a week, and that I am contributing, alongside others, to their development, encourages me to continue and gives meaning to my photographic work.”

How the ‘eye’ has changed over 2 decades

One of the most moving aspects of Jean-Marie’s work is his evolution from an observer to a member of the community. He doesn’t just see landscapes; he sees faces he knows. He describes his recent black-and-white portraits as “family photos.”

“The light and colors of Madagascar are a tremendous asset for photographers. The latest photography book by Pierrot Men, a Malagasy and the Indian Ocean’s greatest photographer, is entitled *Where the Light Lives*, and this is no coincidence. As I am working on a black-and-white project featuring portraits and scenes of daily life, my integration into local communities results in a greater sense of ‘intimacy’ with the people I photograph. I see this as a gift bestowed upon me.”

One specific image from the exhibition captures this perfectly: A little girl with a school bag waiting for a “taxi-brousse.” She represents the resilience and the potential that NORA works to protect every single day.

Beyond Statistics: The Power of Art

We often look at reports and spreadsheets to measure impact, but Jean-Marie reminds us that art speaks a different language.

“Interpreting statistics effectively requires rationality and sound reasoning. It is possible to compile a report or a set of statistics without ever having been in the field.

Art can be seen as a universal, emotional and intuitive language. Regardless of the form it takes, artistic expression is the translation of lived experience and thinking.

With the widespread practice of photography through the use of smartphones, the artistic and creative nature of a photograph is instantly perceived by a wider audience.”

By buying a piece of art, our donors didn’t just look at a statistic; they connected with the dignity of the Malagasy people – a people who face daily hardships with incredible stoicism.

A Message to Our Global Community

As an expat who has made Madagascar his home, Jean-Marie has a clear message for travelers and residents alike: we are guests in one of the poorest countries on earth, and we are privileged to be here.

“For the vast majority of people here, putting food on the table is a daily struggle, and life is organised on a day-to-day basis amidst uncertainty about the future. Supporting children today also means preparing future generations, through education, to break free from the vicious cycle of dependency.”

The Impact

Thanks to everyone who attended the vernissage and purchased a print, we have secured significant funding for our Nutrition Programme in Agnafiafy. Every photograph now hanging on a wall has been transformed into high-protein meals for the students in Agnafiafy.

A heartfelt thank you to:

• Jean-Marie Lebas for your talent, your stamina, and your heart.
• Hotel Libertalia for hosting this celebration of solidarity.
• All of you who bought a piece of the island to take home, while investing in the children who live here.

Together, we are proving that when art and mission align, we can change the world—one plate at a time.

The next Project

Jean-Marie is already working on the next project, documenting daily lives and livelihoods on the islands. We are excited to follow the process and can’t wait to see the final production!

You can see more of Jean-Marie’s work here: Photo-Solidarité