Introduction to Koyo Kouoh
Koyo Kouoh, a leading figure in the art world and a passionate advocate for African creatives, has passed away at the age of 57. Kouoh, a curator born in Cameroon, was at the height of her career and was set to become the first African woman to lead the Venice Biennale next year.
Early Life and Career
Kouoh’s life began in 1967 in Cameroon, a central African country with a rich artistic heritage. She grew up in the largest city in the country, Douala, before moving to Switzerland at the age of 13. In Switzerland, she studied business and banking but decided not to pursue a career in finance. "Basically, I am not interested in profit," she said in an interview with the New York Times in 2023. Instead, Kouoh worked as a social worker and began to explore the world of art.
Artistic Journey
Kouoh gave birth to her son in Switzerland in the 1990s, an experience she described as "deeply transformative." She would go on to adopt three other children. In 1996, Kouoh returned to Africa and worked as a curator in the Senegalese capital Dakar before founding an independent art center. Her love for Dakar was evident, and she once said, "Dakar made me what I am today."
Zeitz Museum and Legacy
In 2019, Kouoh took over as the director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, South Africa. During her tenure, she supervised several notable exhibitions, including "When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting." The show brings together black artists from the last century and is currently on display in Brussels. Kouoh’s leadership at Zeitz was instrumental in navigating the institution through a crisis, and she was largely credited with its success.
Tributes and Reactions
The art world has been mourning the loss of Kouoh, with many paying tribute to her legacy. The South African artist Candice Breitz described Kouoh as "great, intelligent, endlessly energetic, and cheap elegant." Otobong Nkanga, a Nigerian visual artist, remembered her as a source of warmth, generosity, and brilliance. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also spoke of Kouoh’s impact, saying her death leaves "an emptiness in the world of contemporary art."
Reflections on Life and Death
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Kouoh reflected on the idea of death and its impact on her work. "I believe in life after death because I come from a black tradition that believes in parallel lives and realities," she said. "There is no ‘after death,’ ‘before death,’ or ‘during life.’ It doesn’t matter. I believe in energies – alive or dead – and in cosmic strength." Kouoh’s sudden passing has been met with profound grief, and the Zeitz Museum has announced that it will be closed until further notice as a sign of respect.
Lasting Impact
Kouoh’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence the art world. Her commitment to promoting African creatives and her tireless work as a curator and director have left an indelible mark on the industry. As the art world mourns her loss, it also celebrates her life and the incredible contributions she made during her time.
