Koyo Kouoh, the curator of the Venice Biennale’s centerpiece exhibition, died suddenly of cancer at age 57, just months into her tenure. She left behind a detailed plan for the exhibition, which her assistants are now working to realize in her absence.
This matters because Kouoh’s death raises urgent questions about the continuity and integrity of one of the art world’s most prestigious events. The Biennale’s ability to execute her vision without her leadership will test institutional resilience and the legacy of curatorial planning in high-stakes international exhibitions.