Koyo Kouoh to lead the 61st Venice Biennale as artistic director
The Board of Directors of the Venice Biennale convened on Tuesday, November 5, under the guidance of its President, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, to appoint Koyo Kouoh as the Director of the Visual Arts Sector. Kouoh will oversee the curation of the 61st International Art Exhibition, scheduled for 2026.
Koyo Kouoh, who has roots in Cameroon and Switzerland, has served as the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, South Africa, since 2019. Her extensive career includes her role as the founding Artistic Director of RAW Material Company, a dynamic hub for art, knowledge, and society located in Dakar, Senegal.
She has also contributed to the curatorial teams of documenta 12 (2007) and documenta 13 (2012). In 2020, her contributions to the arts were recognized with the Grand Prix Meret Oppenheim, a prestigious Swiss accolade celebrating achievements in art, architecture, criticism, and exhibitions. Kouoh’s professional life is notably international, with her work spanning Cape Town, Dakar, and Basel, Switzerland.
President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco highlighted Koyo Kouoh’s appointment as a pivotal moment for the Biennale, emphasizing her ability to bring fresh perspectives and deep intellectual engagement to the role. In his statement, he remarked on the significance of her vision, which resonates with the innovative and disruptive talents of emerging voices in the arts. Buttafuoco underscored that Kouoh’s leadership aligns with the Biennale’s historic mission to be a beacon of future possibilities for over a century.
Reflecting on her new role, Koyo Kouoh expressed profound gratitude and anticipation. She described the International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale as a cornerstone of the global art scene, drawing artists, art professionals, collectors, gallerists, philanthropists, and an ever-expanding audience to its legendary platform every two years. She views this opportunity as an unparalleled honor and privilege, aspiring to create an exhibition that resonates deeply with the current world while envisioning a better future.
For Kouoh, artists are not just creators but visionaries and social scientists who enable society to reflect and project in unique ways. She expressed her appreciation to the Biennale’s Board of Directors, particularly President Buttafuoco, for entrusting her with this vital mission, and she eagerly looks forward to collaborating with the entire team. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the Venice Biennale as it continues its legacy of innovation and inclusivity in the arts, underpinned by Kouoh’s rich expertise and groundbreaking approach to curatorial practice.
