Yao Frank, a contemporary painter from Bouaké in the center of Côte d’Ivoire, chose his artist name as a tribute to his late father, who passed away too soon. Born in Yabaya in the Bas-Sassandra region, Yao’s early life was marked by displacement caused by the 2002 Ivorian war. He spent his childhood in Soubré, navigating the challenges of social-political crises and inter-ethnic conflicts that deeply influenced his perspective on life and art.
Despite the uncertainties that interrupted his education, Yao resumed his studies in 2015, enrolling in the Artistic Education High School (LEA), where he earned his BAC H1. He further honed his craft at the National School of Fine Arts (ENBA) in Abidjan and the Higher School of Plastic Arts in Architecture and Design (ESAPAD). There, he earned a DEAG (General Artistic Study Diploma), a bachelor’s degree in mural art, and a DESA (Higher Artistic Study Diploma).
Yao’s journey as an artist is a testament to resilience and determination. His turbulent experiences and the impact of socio-political unrest are vividly reflected in his works, which serve as both a personal expression and a voice for broader societal narratives.