YAKO
MATERIA PRIMA
WHEN HOPE MEETS NATURE
SUPERFICIAL
THE MEMORY OF THE NOMAD
END OF THE WORLD
CV
Exhibitions
Articles
Prizes
Art Direction
CV
He studied Filmmaking and Multimedia Computer Graphics at Accra Film School (Ghana). In 2019, he returns to Ivory Coast and embarks at Voodoo communication Group as a Graphic Designer for three years. 2022 to 2024, he worked as an art director at MW DDB, an affiliate to DDB worldwide.
He joins in 2020, the Catchlight Student fellowship organized by the renowned photographer Aida Muluneh and Fondation Donwahi (Abidjan). (2020), he marked his first collaborative exhibition in the “Still I rise” exhibition of Aida Muluneh, who became his mentor. He works as a production editor on projects such as “Road to Glory - The Nobel Peace Prize 2020” and “Reframing Neglect - End Fund”.
In 2022, he receives (Coup de Coeur Influencia) with “Circle of Hug” from (l’institut Français du design to participate in the biennale internationale du Design Saint Étienne for Explore Outside The Box - France). His art was showcased at MuCAT (Musée des Cultures Contemporaines Adama Tougara) (Ivory Coast) and Windsor gallery (Ivory Coast) in 2022 featuring series such as “End of the world” and “The memory of the nomade” 2022. 2023, he became part of the 40 artists selected by Vogue Italia, for the Photo Vogue Festival in Milano (Italy).
2024, he gets selected to be in the Advanced Mentoring Programme of the NOOR Foundation from the Netherlands. He also gets featured in Abidjan Nid’Artistes dedicated to the cultural and intellectual scene of Ivory Coast endorsed by the ministry of Culture. During the same year he receives the prestigious Chevening Scholarships, from the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations for a Master Degree in Photography at The Royal College of Art in London.
In 2025, he joins ADIDAS x GUAP – The Originals Creator Network in London, UK. His photographic series “Yako” earns the RCA’s Metro Imaging and New Photography Awards 2025. He is then named a finalist for the New Vanguard Prize, which leads to an exhibition at Frieze Week London 2025.
Prizes
2025 - The New Vanguard - Arts Meets Culture
2025 – New Photography Prize
2025 – Metro Imaging Award
2025 – Jaguar x RCA – Shortlisted
2025 – Adidas x GUAP: Originals Creator Network
2024 – Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art – Shortlisted
2024/2025 – Chevening Scholarship
2024 – Noor Images – Advanced Mentoring
2024 – Abidjan Nid d’Artistes
2022 – Explore – Mention Influencia Biennale Internationale
Design Saint-Étienne Prize
2020 – 35 Awards Photography – Top 10 Abidjan Photographer
2020 – CatchLight Student – Aida Muluneh Masterclass
2020 – Post-production Editor – Aida Muluneh (Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition)
Formation
2024 - 2025 - MA in Photography, Royal College of Arts (London, UK)
2015 - 2017 - Accra Film School (Diploma in Multimedia Design).
Group Exhibitions
2025 - Freize Week London - Art Meets Culture
2025 – Africa Foto Festival – CIV – Musée d’Abobo
2025 – The Television Centre – UK – London
2024 – Noor Images – CIV – Université de San Pedro
2023 – PhotoVogue Festival – Italy – Milan
2023 – Africa Foto Festival – CIV – Musée d’Abobo
2022 – Africa Foto Festival – CIV – Musée d’Abobo and
Windsor Gallery, Sofitel Abidjan
2020 – CatchLight Students – CIV – Fondation Donwahi
(2025 - present) Creative director & Filmmaker - Adidas and GUAP - (United Kingdom). Creation of a short film and exhibition project.
(2025 - 3 month project) Visual Artist - JLR x RCA Awards - (United Kingdom)
Got shortlisted and developed a commissioned work for Jaguar.
(2023 - 6 month project) Visual Artist - Noor Images - (Côte d'Ivoire). Mentorship and commissioned work around regenerative agriculture in Côte d'Ivoire.
(2022 - 2024) Art Director / Motion Designer at MW DDB (Côte D’ivoire).
Led creative direction and motion design for major advertising campaigns. Collaborated with strategy and production teams to deliver impactful brand content. Key clients: MTN, UNIWAX. Budgets won: Djamo, Kirene, Orijin (Brassivoire), i-money, Mansa Farm (Senegal), Ivoire (Brassivoire)
(2019 - 2022) Junior Graphic Designer at Voodoo Communication (Côte D’ivoire). Designed brand identities, digital and print assets for various campaigns. Contributed to nationwide product launches and event activations. Key clients: Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Princesse Tatie, Orangina, Beaufort (Solibra), AWA, Budweiser, Dinor, Dolait, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Life Radio (launch), Mansa Bank, CNAM, OLA Energies, Togocom (launch), Lifestyle and Beauty Festival (Life TV), Boulay Beach Resort (Black Coffee), Burger King (CANAL+ Pop)
(2020 - 2021) Assistant Director and Motion Designer on Qui va taper poto ? (reality show) - Life Tv.
Assisted in directing and editing a national television reality show. Developed animated content and visual transitions for broadcast.
2020 - Post production Editor - Aida Muluneh (Nobel Peace Prize Exhibition 2020).
2018 - Video Editor (Internship 6 months) at Kofas Media (Ghana).
Edited trailers, commercials, and short films as part of a professional production team. Developed technical editing skills using Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.