ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Koyo Kouoh Foundation Launches; Dian Suci Wins Max Mara Prize; Anastassiades Closes Lighting Brand

other · 2026-05-11

The Koyo Kouoh Foundation has been established to honor the memory of the late Swiss-Cameroonian curator, who passed away in 2025 and made history as the first African woman to curate the Venice Biennale. This foundation aims to enhance Pan-African cultural infrastructure and support artist mentorship. A posthumous exhibition titled “In Minor Keys” will be showcased at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Dian Suci, an Indonesian artist, received the 10th Max Mara Art Prize for Women, chosen by curator Cecilia Alemani, for her project centered on spirituality and craftsmanship. This award offers a six-month residency in Italy and exhibitions in 2027. Additionally, designer Michael Anastassiades has shuttered his lighting brand but will pursue limited-edition projects. Other highlights include Bjork DJ'ing at the Biennale and collaborations between Audemars Piguet and Swatch.

Key facts

  • Koyo Kouoh Foundation launched to preserve legacy of late curator Koyo Kouoh.
  • Kouoh died in 2025 after being first African woman appointed to curate Venice Biennale.
  • 2026 Venice Biennale will feature Kouoh's posthumous exhibition 'In Minor Keys'.
  • Dian Suci won 2026 Max Mara Art Prize for Women, first under new global format.
  • Suci's proposal 'Crafting Spirit' examines spirituality, craftsmanship, labor, capitalism in Italy and Indonesia.
  • Michael Anastassiades closed his eponymous lighting brand; London studio continues.
  • Jordan Roth premiered performance piece at 2026 Venice Biennale.
  • Contemporary artists reviving Renaissance marquetry and intarsia techniques.

Entities

Artists

  • Koyo Kouoh
  • Dian Suci
  • Michael Anastassiades
  • Jordan Roth
  • Irene di Spilimbergo
  • Alison Elizabeth Taylor
  • Michael Bühler-Rose
  • Nick Doyle
  • Bjork
  • Cecilia Alemani
  • Richard Lewer
  • Iluwanti Ken
  • Derrick Adams
  • Simon de Pury

Institutions

  • Koyo Kouoh Foundation
  • RAW Material Company
  • Zeitz MOCAA
  • Venice Biennale
  • Max Mara Art Prize for Women
  • Museum MACAN
  • Collezione Maramotti
  • Performance Space New York
  • Flos
  • Audemars Piguet
  • Swatch
  • Claire de Rouen
  • Telfar
  • Bottega Veneta
  • Lévy Gorvy Dayan
  • Tate Britain
  • Dataland
  • IKONstudio
  • Rarify
  • SOM
  • The Holy See
  • Contxt Venice

Locations

  • Dakar
  • Cape Town
  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Assisi
  • Rome
  • Lecce
  • Florence
  • Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • London
  • Shoreditch
  • Switzerland
  • Cameroon

Sources