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yesterday

Venice Biennale Confirms May 20 Theme Announcement Following Koyo Kouoh’s Passing

The 2026 Biennale’s first African woman curator, Koyo Kouoh, died of cancer on May 10, leaving questions about leadership and programming for both the Biennale and Zeitz MOCAA.

Koyo Kouoh art curator obituary
Koyo Kouoh at Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town in 2023.
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Overview

  • Koyo Kouoh, the Cameroonian-born curator and first African woman appointed to lead the Venice Biennale, passed away at age 57 from cancer on May 10, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland.
  • Zeitz MOCAA, where Kouoh served as executive director and chief curator since 2019, announced its closure and suspension of programming until further notice in response to her death.
  • The Venice Biennale has confirmed that the May 20 press conference to present the 2026 exhibition theme will proceed as planned, though questions remain about the event’s leadership and curation.
  • Kouoh was celebrated for her transformative contributions to the art world, including founding Raw Material Company in Dakar and revitalizing Zeitz MOCAA with a Pan-African focus.
  • Her unexpected death leaves uncertainty about the future direction of the Biennale and the institutions she profoundly shaped, with tributes highlighting her vision and advocacy for African art.