Koyo Kouoh, the internationally acclaimed Cameroonian-born curator known for her transformative contributions to contemporary African art, has died unexpectedly at the age of 57.
Her passing is being mourned across the global arts community as the loss of one of its most powerful and visionary voices.
Kouoh’s death comes just months after she made history by being named the curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale, making her only the second African-born curator to lead the prestigious international art exhibition.
She followed in the footsteps of the late Okwui Enwezor, who curated the 2015 edition and paved the way for a broader representation of global voices in contemporary art.
A Champion for Africa and Its Diaspora
As executive director and chief curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, South Africa, Kouoh was a transformative figure in the cultural landscape.
Under her leadership, the museum became a pivotal platform for artists from Africa and the African diaspora, offering space for experimentation, critique, and celebration of identities often marginalized in traditional Western art spaces.
Kouoh was widely respected for her unapologetic curatorial style and her commitment to challenging Eurocentric narratives in the art world. Her work consistently centered African artists and perspectives, reshaping institutional practices and raising the bar for curatorial excellence and integrity.
Tributes Pour In
Though the cause of death has not yet been made public, tributes have flooded in from artists, cultural leaders, and institutions across the globe, with many noting that Kouoh was more than a curator—she was a mentor, advocate, and model for the next generation.
“Koyo Kouoh was a titan in the art world,” one prominent artist shared. “Her legacy will continue to inspire those committed to equity and representation in contemporary art.”
Kouoh’s unexpected passing has cast a shadow over preparations for the 2026 Venice Biennale, where she had already begun work on what many anticipated would be another landmark edition of the century-old exhibition.
A Lasting Legacy
Born in Cameroon and raised in Switzerland, Kouoh brought a deeply transnational perspective to her work. Before joining Zeitz MOCAA, she founded and directed the RAW Material Company in Dakar, Senegal—an influential center for art, knowledge, and society. Her curatorial projects spanned the globe, always rooted in a vision of art as a tool for dialogue, healing, and justice.
Kouoh’s life and work leave a lasting imprint on contemporary art, particularly for those committed to decolonizing museum spaces and uplifting underrepresented voices.
She is survived by a global community of collaborators, mentees, and admirers who will continue the work she so passionately championed.
