Koyo Kouoh, the first African curator of the Venice Biennale of Venice died

There is no evidence or credible report indicating that Koyo Kouoh, the Cameroonian-Swiss curator appointed as the first African woman to lead the Venice Biennale’s 61st International Art Exhibition in 2026, has died. Recent sources, including articles from The New York Times, The Guardian, and the official Venice Biennale website, all published in December 2024, confirm her appointment and quote her expressing excitement about the role. These sources describe her as actively engaged, with no mention of her passing.

Five Key Points About Koyo Kouoh and Her Appointment

1. Historic Appointment: Koyo Kouoh, born in Cameroon in 1967 and raised in Switzerland, was named curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale, making her the first African woman to hold this role. She follows Okwui Enwezor (2015) as only the second African-born curator of the prestigious event.
2. Current Role and Background: Since 2019, Kouoh has been the executive director and chief curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, where she has championed African and diasporic artists through exhibitions like When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting (2022). She also founded RAW Material Company in Dakar and contributed to Documenta 12 and 13.
3. Vision for the Biennale: Kouoh aims to create an exhibition that “carries meaning for the world we live in” and reflects the future, emphasizing artists as “visionaries and social scientists.” Her artist-centered approach will involve close collaboration with exhibitors to address contemporary global issues.
4. Political Context: Her appointment, recommended by Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, a supporter of Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, surprised some who expected a more nationalistic direction. Buttafuoco praised Kouoh’s “broad horizon of vision,” signaling the Biennale’s continued global outlook.
5. No Reports of Death: As of the latest reports (December 2024), Kouoh is alive and actively preparing for the 2026 Biennale. Claims of her death appear to be misinformation or confusion, possibly with another figure. The lack of any obituary or news coverage on this topic further supports this conclusion.

Addressing the Misinformation

The claim that Koyo Kouoh has died seems to stem from a misunderstanding or false rumor, as no reputable source corroborates it. It’s possible the confusion arises from the death of Okwui Enwezor, the Nigerian curator who led the 2015 Biennale and passed away in 2019, though this is speculative. Always verify such claims against primary sources, as misinformation can spread quickly, especially in high-profile contexts. If you heard this from a specific outlet or post, please share details, and I can investigate further.

Next Steps

If you have additional context (e.g., where you heard about her supposed death), I can refine the analysis. Alternatively, I can provide more details on Kouoh’s curatorial work, the Venice Biennale’s history, or related topics. Let me know!