In our fast-paced digital world, art is a lifeline—a way to pause, reconnect and awaken our souls. Last week, Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach reminded me of this. The colors, textures, emotions and vitality of African and African Diasporic art on view—a profound reflection of my homeland’s creative spirit—left me awe-struck. To see African artistry celebrated on a global stage was deeply moving, but what truly took my breath away was the announcement of Koyo Kouoh as the first African woman to curate the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026.
As the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) in Cape Town, Koyo is a visionary leader and her appointment is a triumph, not just for Africa, but for women everywhere. This is more than a milestone; it’s a movement—a bold proclamation of Africa’s rightful place at the heart of global creativity. As a founding patron of American Friends of Zeitz MOCAA, I couldn’t be prouder to support this extraordinary institution and its mission to amplify Africa’s voice on the world stage.
