Venice Biennale 2026 Reveals Koyo Kouoh's Curated Exhibition 'In Minor Keys' with 111 Participants

The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled 'In Minor Keys,' will be presented from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with previews from May 6-8. Curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, who accepted the role in October 2024 but passed away in May 2025, the exhibition will proceed according to her original vision with family support. Announced on February 25, 2026, at Ca' Giustinian in Venice, the show features 111 participants including individual artists, duos, collectives, and artist-led organizations. The curatorial framework emphasizes resonance, affinity, and unexpected connections across different regions and eras. Many participants have current or historical ties to Zeitz MOCAA, reflecting the museum's ongoing dedication to artists from Africa and its diaspora through relational curatorial practices involving sustained engagement and dialogue. The exhibition will be displayed at the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various locations throughout Venice. Notable artists with previous Zeitz MOCAA affiliations include Nicholas Hlobo, whose work appeared in the 54th Venice Biennale and was featured in the museum's 2019 exhibition 'Two Together'; Ebony G. Patterson; Otobong Nkanga; Alfredo Jaar; and Cauleen Smith, whose solo show runs until October 2026. Other participants like Akinbode Akinbiyi, Sohrab Hura, and Buhlebezwe Siwani have been part of group exhibitions at the museum, while artists such as Kemang Wa Lehulere and Thania Petersen have undertaken residencies. The exhibition also includes contributions from figures involved in discursive programming and exhibition design, such as Torkwase Dyson and Ilze Wolff. This presentation continues Kouoh's legacy and highlights the global impact of these artists.