Koyo Kouoh, Influential Art Curator, Dies at 57 in Switzerland

London, England — Koyo Kouoh, a distinguished art curator and advocate for African creatives, has died unexpectedly at the age of 57 in Switzerland. A pivotal figure in the contemporary art scene, Kouoh was set to become the first African woman to direct the Venice Biennale in 2026, alongside her role as the head of South Africa’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

The cause of Kouoh’s death has not been disclosed. Reports confirm that she passed away in Switzerland, where she spent part of her life after moving from Cameroon as a teenager.

Leading artists mourned her loss. South African artist Candice Breitz called Kouoh “magnificently intelligent, endlessly energetic, and formidably elegant.” Nigerian visual artist Otobong Nkanga remembered her as a source of warmth and brilliance. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also acknowledged Kouoh’s impact on the art world, stating that her passing leaves a significant void.

Kouoh was born in 1967 in Douala, Cameroon. At 13, she relocated to Switzerland, where she initially pursued a degree in business administration and banking. However, she chose a different path, dedicating herself to social work and immersing herself in art. She later became a mother, giving birth to her son in Switzerland and adopting three other children.

In 1996, discontent with life in Zurich, Kouoh returned to Africa, curating exhibitions in Dakar, Senegal, before founding the Raw Material Company, an influential art hub. Kouoh took charge of the Zeitz Museum in 2019 during a crisis, and her leadership has been credited with revitalizing the institution through significant challenges, including a scandal and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a week prior to her death, Kouoh expressed her profound connection to Dakar, stating, “It’s the place I came of age professionally.” She oversaw acclaimed exhibitions at the Zeitz Museum and was preparing for the Venice Biennale.

Following her passing, the Zeitz Museum declared its “profound sorrow,” announcing it would close “until further notice” in honor of Kouoh. The Venice Biennale, which was set to reveal its theme on May 20, described her contributions as immeasurable.

In her last interview, Kouoh spoke about her belief in life beyond death, stating, “I believe in energies – living or dead – and in cosmic strength.” Her death marks a significant loss for the global art community, which revered her vision and dedication.