Nadia Maureen O’Hara

The breadth of the word “yako”: The utterance of yako from the Baoulé language combines the meaning of “pain” and “to go.” Yako does not discriminate against pain or suffering. It doesn’t offer condolence so much as it wishes for someone’s peace. I might tell you yako after you’ve yawned, hoping you find peace in rest. You might also say yako at a funeral, wishing peace with death. Yako is what I say to myself for solace when I am not yet able to grieve the loss.

Nadia O’Hara is an Ivorian American multidisciplinary artist from Pennsylvania using bookmaking, printmaking, performance, collage, and animation to translate her documentary and portraiture practices.