Koyo Kouoh, a groundbreaking Swiss-Cameroonian curator, passed away suddenly on May 10, 2025, at the age of 57. She was set to become the first African woman to lead the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2026, leaving behind an immense void in the world of contemporary art and beyond.
Koyo Kouoh, a groundbreaking Swiss-Cameroonian curator, passed away suddenly on May 10, 2025, at the age of 57. She was set to become the first African woman to lead the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2026, leaving behind an immense void in the world of contemporary art and beyond.
Koyo Kouoh is a Cameroonian curator, art historian, and writer.
Born in 1970, she lives and works between Yaoundé and Brussels.
Kouoh has curated numerous exhibitions, including the Dak'Art Biennale in Senegal and the Bamako Encounters in Mali.
She has also written extensively on African modernism and contemporary art.
Kouoh's work focuses on the complexities of postcolonial contexts and their impact on artistic expression.
A Journey Through Education and Career
Koyo Kouoh, born in Doula, Cameroon, in 1967, moved to Switzerland at the age of 13. She pursued business administration and banking before embarking on a literary career. Her experiences in Zurich laid the foundation for her future success as an art curator.
In 1994, Kouoh co-edited Töchter Afrikas, an anthology inspired by Daughters of Africa, a groundbreaking publication of writing by women of African descent. This marked the beginning of her professional journey as a curator, which would eventually take her to Dakar, Senegal, where she became the founding artistic director of Raw Material Company.
Kouoh’s tenure at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, from 2019, was a testament to her transformational leadership. She built an explicitly Pan-African, world-class program, turning around an institution that had faced several scandals. Her dedication and vision earned her recognition from the New York Times, which credited her with revitalizing the museum.
A Commitment to Artistic Excellence
As executive director and chief curator of Zeitz MOCAA, Kouoh had been instrumental in shaping the continent’s largest collection of contemporary art. Her passion for artistic excellence was evident in every aspect of her work, from curating exhibitions to engaging with artists and scholars alike.
In one of her final interviews, ‘Her passing leaves an immense void in the world of contemporary art and beyond,’ Kouoh spoke about her views on mortality, drawing upon her ancestral Black education that emphasizes parallel lives and realities. Her words reflected a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life and death, as well as the enduring power of art to transcend boundaries.
A Legacy That Will Be Felt
Koyo Kouoh’s passing leaves an immense void in the world of contemporary art. However, her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists, curators, and scholars. Her commitment to artistic excellence, Pan-Africanism, and intellectual rigor will be deeply felt at the Venice Biennale 2026, where she was set to present the exhibition’s title and theme.
The management of the Venice Biennale has announced that they will hold a press conference on May 20, which will also be livestreamed from its headquarters. Zeitz MOCAA has closed its doors until further notice, suspending all programming in honor of Kouoh’s memory.
In the words of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, ‘Her passing leaves an immense void in the world of contemporary art and in the international community of artists, curators, and scholars who had the privilege of knowing and admiring her extraordinary human and intellectual commitment.’
- theguardian.com | Koyo Kouoh, art curator due to lead 2026 Venice Biennale, dies at 57
