The 61st Venice Art Biennale, scheduled from May 9 to November 22, 2026, will serve as a poignant homage to the late curator Koyo Kouoh. Appointed in December 2024, Kouoh was the first African woman to lead the Biennale. Her unexpected death in May 2025 left the art world in mourning. In a decision to honour her contributions, La Biennale di Venezia announced that the exhibition, titled “In Minor Keys,” will proceed as per Kouoh’s original vision, executed by her appointed team. 

Kouoh’s curatorial concept emphasizes the power of subtlety and emotional resonance in art. She envisioned the exhibition as a series of “exhilarating journeys that address the sensate and the affective,” inviting visitors to engage in reflection and communion beyond the constraints of accelerated productivity.

The exhibition will be realized by Kouoh’s selected team, including advisors Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira, Rasha Salti, and editor-in-chief Siddhartha Mitter. Their collective effort aims to preserve and disseminate Kouoh’s ideas, ensuring that her dedication to contemporary art continues to inspire. 

Kouoh’s legacy is marked by her commitment to amplifying voices from the Global South and challenging dominant narratives in the art world. Her leadership at institutions like the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and RAW Material Company in Dakar showcased her dedication to creating platforms for diverse artistic expressions.

The 2026 Venice Biennale’s “In Minor Keys” stands as a testament to Kouoh’s vision, offering a space for contemplation and emotional engagement. It invites audiences to experience art that resonates on deeper frequencies, honouring the curator’s belief in the transformative power of subtlety.

Sources:

• La Biennale di Venezia – Biennale Arte 2026: In Minor Keysuniverses.art+5La Biennale di Venezia+5La Biennale di Venezia+5

• Artnet News – Venice Biennale Will Realize Late Curator Koyo Kouoh's VisionArtnet News

• Hyperallergic – The 2026 Venice Biennale Wants to Cut Through the NoiseHyperallergic

• The Art Newspaper – Venice Biennale 2026 will follow late curator Koyo Kouoh's visionThe Art Newspaper

• The Guardian – Koyo Kouoh, art curator due to lead 2026 Venice Biennale, dies at 57The Guardian+1Wikipedia+1