Koyo Kouoh, renowned curator and African art advocate, dies at 57
Koyo Kouoh, a renowned curator and outspoken advocate for African artists, has died at 57 in a hospital in Basel, Switzerland. Her passing leaves a significant void in the world of contemporary art, where she was regarded as one of its leading figures for her groundbreaking work and dedication to promoting African artists.
Born in Cameroon in 1967, Kouoh rose to prominence as a curator and leader in the global art community. She was set to make history as the first African woman to lead the Venice Biennale in 2026, one of the most prestigious platforms in contemporary art.
At the time of her death, she was serving as the executive director and chief curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, the largest contemporary art museum in Africa.
Kouoh’s leadership was instrumental in the revitalization of Zeitz MOCAA, which had faced significant challenges, including the resignation of its founding director and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. She is widely credited with turning the museum around, securing its position as a leading institution for contemporary African art.
In addition to her work at Zeitz, Kouoh founded Raw Material Company, an independent art space in Dakar, Senegal, that became a key platform for contemporary African artists. She often spoke of her deep connection to Dakar, calling it the place where she came of age professionally and where she really became a curator and an exhibition-maker.
Among her many accomplishments, Kouoh curated When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, an acclaimed exhibition that showcases a century of Black artistic achievement. The exhibition is currently on display in Brussels.
Kouoh’s impact on the art world was widely recognized. South African artist Candice Breitz described her as “magnificently intelligent, endlessly energetic, and formidably elegant,” while Nigerian visual artist Otobong Nkanga called her a source of “warmth, generosity, and brilliance.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also praised her legacy, saying her death “leaves a void in the world of contemporary art.”
Kouoh’s journey into the art world was marked by a series of bold choices. After moving to Switzerland at age 13, she studied business and banking, but ultimately rejected a corporate career in favour of social work and art curation. In a 2023 New York Times interview, she explained, “I am fundamentally uninterested in profit.” Instead, she dedicated herself to helping migrant women and immersing herself in the world of art.
Kouoh’s work was also deeply influenced by her spiritual beliefs. She once said, “I do believe in life after death… I believe in energies — living or dead — and in cosmic strength.” This outlook was reflected in her approach to art, where she viewed creativity and legacy as boundless and ever-present.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), in a statement, expressed its “profound sorrow” at Kouoh’s passing and announced that the museum would close temporarily out of respect.
Kouoh’s legacy as a curator, leader, and advocate for African art will continue to inspire future generations. Her work reshaped the global art landscape, elevating African voices and redefining the role of the curator in the modern art world.
Written by Kweku Sampson.
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