Cameroonian curator Koyo Kouoh has shattered barriers by becoming the first African woman to lead the prestigious Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most important contemporary art exhibitions. Kouoh, currently the director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, South Africa, will curate the Biennale in 2026.
A Trailblazer in Art and Culture Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco praised Kouoh as a “curator, scholar, and influential public figure” who brings a unique blend of youthful energy and intellectual depth to the 130-year-old exhibition that attracts hundreds of thousands of art lovers to Venice every two years.
Before her current role at Zeitz MOCAA, Kouoh founded the RAW Material Company in Dakar, Senegal. Growing up between Douala, Cameroon, and Switzerland, she developed a global perspective that informs her groundbreaking work in the art world. Her innovative programming at Zeitz MOCAA has showcased the vibrant creativity of African artists and the diaspora, earning her international acclaim.
A Visionary Leader Kouoh views this opportunity as a “once-in-a-lifetime honor” to lead a platform that shapes contemporary art’s narrative. She hopes her curated exhibition will “carry meaning for the world we currently live in and, most importantly, for the world we want to make.”
She is only the second African to lead the Biennale, following the late Nigerian art critic Okwui Enwezor in 2015. As a champion of Pan-Africanism, Kouoh emphasizes the interconnectedness of African and global histories, boldly stating that Africa’s influence transcends borders and continents.
Africa’s Global Influence Kouoh’s curatorial approach reflects her belief in the expansive impact of African culture, particularly in shaping the Americas. She highlights the undeniable influence of African diasporic culture in the U.S., Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti, emphasizing the role of Black culture and identity in global society.
Her appointment to lead the Biennale, supported by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Biennale board chair Buttafuoco, underscores the growing recognition of Africa’s cultural significance on the world stage.
As the world eagerly anticipates the 2026 Venice Biennale, Kouoh’s vision promises to redefine contemporary art and affirm Africa’s pivotal role in shaping the global cultural landscape.
