Cameroonian Curator Koyo Kouoh Dies at 57, Zeitz MOCAA Closes

Koyo Kouoh, a pioneering Cameroonian curator and cultural leader, has died at age 57 after a recent cancer diagnosis. As Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, she revitalized the institution and was celebrated for centering African voices in contemporary art. Kouoh founded the RAW Material Company in Dakar, establishing a vital hub for West African creatives, and was known for her bold, politically conscious curatorial approach that reshaped narratives about African and Global South art. She was poised to become the first African woman to direct the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, marking a historic milestone following Okwui Enwezor’s 2015 leadership. Kouoh's impact extended beyond Africa through her involvement in major international exhibitions such as Documenta 12 and 13. Her passing has been met with profound sorrow across the global art community, with Zeitz MOCAA closing temporarily as a mark of respect.