Rome: Koyo Kouoh, the renowned Cameroonian-born curator who was set to become the first African woman to lead the Venice Art Biennale in 2026, has died suddenly at the age of 58. Her passing was confirmed by the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, where she had served as executive director and chief curator since 2019. Kouoh’s death occurred overnight, and while no cause was given, the news has sent ripples across the global art community just days ahead of her scheduled unveiling of the Biennale’s theme and title on May 20 in Venice.
Born in 1967, Kouoh rose to international prominence through her bold promotion of Pan-Africanist thought in the contemporary art world. Her appointment in December 2024 as curator of the 60th edition of the Biennale was widely hailed as a landmark for representation and curatorial vision. The Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious platforms for global art, expressed its deep sorrow, stating that Kouoh worked on the 2026 exhibition “with passion, intellectual rigor, and vision.”
Kouoh’s career spanned decades of institutional innovation, including founding the RAW Material Company in Dakar, Senegal, and serving on the juries and advisory boards of major art institutions and fairs around the world. Her appointment was seen not only as overdue recognition of African intellectual leadership in the arts but also as a moment that would reshape global art narratives. Her work had long centered on reframing African contributions to contemporary art and challenging Western-centric frameworks in the curation and criticism of visual culture.
The Biennale described her passing as an “immense void” in the international artistic community, emphasizing her “extraordinary human and intellectual commitment.” Her sudden death means the 2026 Biennale now faces uncertainty just a year before it opens, with the presentation of its curatorial direction—originally set for this month—now hanging in the balance.
Kouoh’s legacy is defined not only by her achievements in institutional leadership but also by the intimate mentorship and guidance she offered to a new generation of African and diasporic artists. Tributes from curators, artists, and cultural workers poured in across social media on Sunday, celebrating her fierce advocacy, visionary leadership, and the deep personal connections she fostered.
Her passing marks a profound loss at a time when the art world is seeking new global narratives and curatorial diversity. The Venice Biennale has not yet announced how it will proceed with the 2026 edition. For now, it pauses to mourn the curator who had already begun to reshape its future.
