Ljiljana Maletin Vojvodić //

La Biennale di Venezia has announced that the 61st International Art Exhibition, titled In Minor Keys, will be held from 9 May to 22 November 2026 at its traditional venues – the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various other locations throughout Venice. The vernissage is scheduled for 6, 7, and 8 May 2026. This edition of the Biennale will be particularly significant as it will be realized according to the curatorial vision of Koyo Kouoh, the curator of the 61st Biennale, who passed away unexpectedly.

In early December 2024, Koyo Kouoh was appointed Artistic Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Her appointment was a recognition of her contributions as a curator who not only championed African art but also redefined narratives within global contemporary art by unwaveringly fostering inclusivity and dialogue through artistic expression.

Her vision for the 61st Biennale aimed to reflect the complexity of contemporary society and the transformative power of art. As she emphasized, she wanted to curate an exhibition that would “mean something for the world we live in today — and, more importantly, for the world we want to build.”

She was scheduled to announce the theme and title of the 61st Art Biennale at a press conference on 20 May 2025, but tragically passed away on 10 May 2025 in Basel.

The 61st Art Biennale as a Tribute to the Work and Vision of Koyo Kouoh

Despite the tragic circumstances, the organizers, with the full support of Koyo Kouoh’s family, decided to carry out the exhibition exactly as she envisioned it, as a tribute to her curatorial concept and dedicated work.

Over seven months of intensive preparation, from October 2024 to May 2025, Kouoh developed the theoretical framework of the exhibition, selected the participating artists and artworks, defined the graphic identity and architectural design of the show, and assembled a team of collaborators and advisors. Among them are Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Helene Pereira, and Rasha Salti; the editor-in-chief of the catalogue, Siddhartha Mitter; and her assistant, Rory Tsapayi.

Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025) was the Executive Director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, born in Cameroon and based between Cape Town, Dakar, and Basel.

Her contribution went far beyond curating exhibitions—she was a prolific writer and public intellectual deeply engaged with critical reflections on art, culture, and society.

Before dedicating herself to writing and curating, she studied business administration and banking.

Her publications and lectures have left a lasting impact on generations of artists, curators, and researchers. Inspired by the 1992 anthology Daughters of Africa, she co-edited the German edition Töchter Afrikas, highlighting the voices of women of African descent.

In 2020, she was awarded the Grand Prix Meret Oppenheim, a prestigious Swiss award for achievements in the fields of art, architecture, and criticism.