The global art world is in mourning following the passing of Koyo Kouoh, the distinguished Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa Zeitz MOCAA. Based in Cape Town, Zeitz MOCAA is widely regarded as the world's most important institution dedicated to contemporary African art. Under Kouoh's transformative leadership, the museum cemented its place as a cultural beacon for the continent and its diaspora.
Born in Cameroon, Kouoh was a pioneering curator, cultural force, and advocate for African artists whose influence extended far beyond the continent. Her death is not only a profound loss to Zeitz MOCAA and Cape Town, but to the international art community at large.
Kouoh had recently achieved another milestone: she was named the curator for the prestigious 2026 Venice Biennale, becoming one of the few Africans to ever lead the world's foremost contemporary art exhibition. The appointment was a testament to her curatorial brilliance and longstanding commitment to amplifying African perspectives in global dialogues.
Since her appointment at Zeitz MOCAA in 2019, Kouoh had reimagined the museum's identity with bold exhibitions, critical programming, and inclusive educational initiatives. Her curatorial vision emphasised both emerging and established African artists, re-centering narratives historically marginalized in dominant art institutions. She was celebrated not only for her intellect and integrity, but also for her unwavering belief in art as a catalyst for social change.
Tributes have poured in from artists, curators, and cultural leaders worldwide, remembering Kouoh as a trailblazer whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.