Context:

Koyo Kouoh, a prominent art curator and advocate for African creatives, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57 in Switzerland. At the peak of her illustrious career, she was set to become the first African woman to lead the Venice Biennale and had successfully revitalized Africa's largest contemporary art museum, Zeitz MOCAA, through challenging times. Born in Cameroon, Kouoh's journey led her from a business education in Switzerland to founding Raw Material Company in Dakar, significantly influencing the African art scene. Her death leaves a significant void in the art world, with her colleagues and admirers remembering her as a source of intelligence, energy, and elegance. Despite her passing, Kouoh's belief in life beyond death and her impact on contemporary art continue to resonate strongly among those who knew her.

Dive Deeper:

• Koyo Kouoh, born in Cameroon, became a pivotal figure in the art world, particularly in advocating for African creatives, and was set to lead the prestigious Venice Biennale as the first African woman to do so.

• Her unexpected death at 57 in Switzerland has left a profound impact on the art community, with tributes highlighting her intelligence, energy, and elegance from notable artists and leaders.

• Kouoh's career trajectory took a turn when she opted out of finance, engaging in social work and immersing herself in the art world, eventually founding the influential Raw Material Company in Dakar.

• Her leadership at Zeitz MOCAA in South Africa was marked by a transformative period where she navigated the institution through crises, including a leadership scandal and the Covid pandemic, earning her widespread recognition.

• Kouoh's personal philosophy embraced the continuity of life and energy beyond death, drawing from her ancestral beliefs, and her legacy in the art world is expected to endure despite her passing.

• Her work at Zeitz MOCAA included acclaimed exhibitions such as 'When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting', showcasing the rich contributions of black artists over the century.

• Kouoh's deep connection to Dakar was evident in her reflections, crediting the city as the place where she matured professionally and developed her distinctive curatorial voice and vision.