Key points
First African to direct the Venice Biennale
Visionary of a decolonial pan-African art
Unfinished projects for the 2026 Biennale
Influential mentor and museum reformer
His death marks a major loss for the art world.
The art world mourns the sudden passing of Koyo Kouoh, a visionary curator of Cameroonian origin and Swiss adoption, whose bold approach profoundly redefined contemporary cultural narratives. She passed away at the age of 57, leaving unfinished a highly anticipated exhibition for the 2026 Venice Biennale, which she was scheduled to curate.
A historical pioneer
Kouoh made history by becoming the first curator of African descent to lead the Venice Biennale's central exhibition—a major turning point in the shift toward greater diversity and inclusion among global art institutions. Her curatorial practice united European rigor with West African narrative traditions, creating unprecedented platforms for artists from historically marginalized regions.
Her death, confirmed on May 10, 2025, followed a private battle with cancer. She reportedly collapsed during final preparations for the exhibition. The Biennale announced that the 2026 edition would go ahead and be dedicated entirely to her intellectual and artistic legacy—a first in the event's 130-year history.
A radical cultural architect
As executive director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) in Cape Town, Kouoh propelled the institution to become a global authority on Pan-African art. Under her leadership, annual attendance increased by 40% and acquisitions of works by women artists grew by 60%. Landmark exhibitions such as When We See Us (2022) deconstructed colonial narratives by promoting the joyful, free, and assertive representation of Black identity.
Her philosophy—which she called "institutional archaeology"—was to uncover and deconstruct the colonial structures present in museums. With the Dig Where You Stand initiative, presented at Carnegie International, she promoted local knowledge as a global curatorial priority.
A legacy of transmission and reforms
Beyond her curatorial genius, Kouoh was a committed mentor. Her RAW Academy training program enabled more than 80 young curators to break onto the international scene. Several now hold leadership positions, notably at the Tate Modern in London and the Sursock Museum in Beirut. Her legacy also includes structural reforms—from evolving acquisition criteria to establishing scholarships dedicated to postcolonial art history.
Reactions and immediate impact
On the announcement of his disappearance:
The Zeitz MOCAA closed its doors for three days of mourning.
The KW Institute in Berlin has illuminated its facade in the colors of Cameroon.
More than 280,000 posts have been shared with the hashtag #KouohLegacy .
Liberation Films has canceled all of its May 10 press events, calling Kouoh "the compass of the curatorial decolonization movement."
The Biennale has confirmed that the 2026 exhibition's theme, Black Geographies , will continue. It explores the spatial identities of the diaspora through physical installations, archives, and immersive technologies.
An unfinished vision
Kouoh's death is reminiscent of that of Okwui Enwezor in 2019—another giant of African curatorship. Unlike Enwezor, Kouoh preferred a collaborative and evolutionary approach, leaving few written guidelines. This makes the continuity of his project complex, especially since no formal succession plan had been established.
Figures like Mariam Diallo and Simon Njami, close collaborators, are being considered to take up the torch. But for many, her absence isn't just an organizational void—it's a true philosophical collapse.
"We're not just continuing his Biennale—we're trying to extend a whole worldview," one committee member said.
FAQ
Who was Koyo Kouoh?
A Cameroonian-Swiss curator recognized for her pioneering exhibitions focused on African and diasporic art.
What was his role at the Venice Biennale?
She was the chief curator of the central exhibition planned for 2025, becoming the first African to hold this position.
How did she die?
She died on May 10, 2026, from cancer, during preparations for the Biennale.
Will his project for 2026 be maintained?
Yes, the Biennale has confirmed that it will honor his vision by continuing with its posthumous thematic framework.
What is his legacy?
A radical curatorial approach, influential mentorship programs, and a transformation of African museum institutions like Zeitz MOCAA.
Nicolas Sarazin