Born in Cameroon and raised in Switzerland, Koyo Kouoh is a globally respected curator, cultural icon, and writer. Over the years, her work has consistently amplified African voices and challenged established narratives within the global art scene, stemming from her unique background and experiences that have informed her expansive curatorial practice — bridging cultural dialogues between Africa, its diaspora, and the rest of the world.
In 2008, Kouoh founded and became the artistic director of RAW Material Company, a contemporary art centre in Dakar, Senegal. Since its inception, RAW has served as a hub for critical art practices and under Kouoh’s leadership, the centre has hosted numerous exhibitions, public programs, and residencies that have elevated African and diasporic perspectives in contemporary art. In 2019, Kouoh assumed the role of Executive Director and Chief Curator at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, South Africa, redefining the museum’s vision, focusing on inclusivity and a deep engagement with African narratives. During her tenure at Zeitz MOCAA, Africa’s largest museum, her curatorial work focused on in-depth solo exhibitions and retrospectives by African and African-descent artists such as Otobong Nkanga, Johannes Phokela, Senzeni Marasela, Abdoulaye Konaté, Tracey Rose, and Mary Evans.
Kouoh’s career includes significant roles in landmark exhibitions. She was part of the curatorial teams for Ddocumenta 12 (2007) and Documenta 13 (2012), and she has curated solo and group exhibitions for major institutions worldwide. Her written work and public speaking engagements further solidify her role as a thought leader in the art world.
In December 2024, Kouoh achieved yet another milestone, being appointed as the Artistic Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, scheduled for 2026. This historic appointment makes her the first African woman to curate the Venice Biennale. Known for her innovative and inclusive approach to art, Kouoh’s appointment signals a new chapter for one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events. In her statement upon accepting the role, Kouoh said,
The International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia has been the center of gravity for art for over a century. Artists, art and museum professionals, collectors, dealers, philanthropists and an ever-growing public converge on this mythical site every two years to feel the pulse of the Zeitgeist. It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor and privilege to follow in the footsteps of luminary predecessors in the role of Artistic Director, and to compose an exhibition that I hope will carry meaning for the world we currently live in — and most importantly, for the world we want to make. Artists are the visionaries and social scientists who allow us to reflect and project in ways afforded only to this line of work. I am deeply thankful to La Biennale’s Board and particularly its President, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, for entrusting me with this momentous mission, and I look forward to working with the entire team.”
As the art world anticipates her direction for the 2026 Biennale, Koyo Kouoh remains a beacon of African creativity, signals the continued shift towards inclusivity and a celebration of the multifaceted African narratives that shape contemporary art.
