Artist Derrick Adams will install a monumental banner version of his collage "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" (2026) on the facade of the Palazzetto dello sport Giobatta Gianquinto in Venice, near the Arsenale, during the Venice Biennale. The work features a portrait of the late curator Koyo Kouoh, artistic director of the 2026 Venice Biennale, with the word "JOY" radiating golden rays above her head. The tribute was conceived by curator Francesco Bonami, who had invited Kouoh to serve on the Golden Lion jury for his 2003 Biennale, and developed after a studio visit with Adams.
The installation matters because it honors Kouoh's legacy as a major figure in the art world whose untimely passing deeply affected the community, while also making her vision accessible to the public outside the exclusive Biennale events. Adams and Bonami emphasize that the work celebrates joy and resilience amid political turmoil, connecting to the broader themes of Kouoh's final exhibition. The tribute underscores the enduring power of ideas and the importance of recognizing those who uplift others, especially during times of tragedy.