Yvann Zahui

Photography (MA)
A black and white self-portrait of Yvann Zahui, looking directly into the camera
Installation shot of "Yako"
Installation shot of "Yako"
Installation shot of "Yako"
Self-pallbearer
Self-pallbearer
Self-pallbearer
Evolution of death
Evolution of death
Evolution of death
Installation shot of "Yako"
Self-pallbearer
Evolution of death

About

Yvann Zahui (Cote d’Ivoire, 2001) is a Multidisciplinary Artist, working in photography, graphic design, and moving images. Rooted in Afrofuturism, his work explores African identity and societal issues.

He studied Filmmaking and Multimedia Graphics at Accra Film School before joining Voodoo Communication as a Graphic Designer (2019-2022) and later MW DDB as an Art Director (2022-2024). A CatchLight Student Fellow under Aida Muluneh’s mentorship, he has worked on projects like Road to Glory – The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 .

His work has been showcased internationally, including Photo Vogue Festival (Milan, 2023) as one of 40 selected artists by Vogue Italia. In 2024, he joined NOOR Foundation’s Advanced Mentoring Programme and received the Chevening Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Photography at the Royal College of Art, he also gets selected ADIDAS x GUAP – THE ORIGINALS CREATOR NETWORK in London. His art has been exhibited at MuCAT, Windsor Gallery, and the Biennale Internationale du Design Saint-Étienne.

Artist Statement

“Yako” is a common Ivorian expression, we say Yako to someone going through a difficult timewhether they are tired, sick, depressed, or have lost a loved one. It’s more than just a word; it represents a way of showing compassion and solidarity in the face of pain. It even refers to a ceremony during funerals. Yako truly reflects a core aspect of Ivorian social culture

As an artist I question a lot legacy, how our choices influence our afterlife. I find myself questioning how cultural rituals and spiritual beliefs around death shapes us. Having grown up in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, I’ve witnessed how mourning and celebration often coexist how the body is honored, and the soul guided. Funerals are both ceremonies of grief and joy, filled with rhythm, dance, and storytelling.

As I explore visual ways to interpret death across different cultures, I am researching how this universal experience can be expressed not only through personal or cultural lenses, but in a form that resonates beyond borders and beliefs. In seeking a visual language for death, I am not looking for answers, but for ways to hold space for mystery.

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