Art world in shock after sudden death of 2026 Venice Biennale curator

The international art world is mourning the death of curator Koyo Kouoh, who was set to lead the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Koyo Kouoh: a dark skinned middle aged woman sitting in an art gallery with paintings behind her. She is wearing a white dress and has long braided hair. Venice Biennale 2026 curator.

The international art world is still coming to terms with the news that Cameroonian-Swiss curator Koyo Kouoh, who had been appointed to lead the 2026 Venice Biennale, died suddenly last Saturday 10 May, aged 57.

Alongside her curatorial role at the 2026 Venice Biennale, Kouoh was Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, South Africa, a position she held since 2019.

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