Artists Honor Koyo Kouoh with Poetry Caravan at Venice Biennale
**Title: Poetry Caravan at the Venice Biennale: Honoring Koyo Kouoh**
**VENICE, May 7, 2026** — Amidst the grand spectacle of the Venice Biennale, a poignant tribute unfolded. Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons led a poetic procession through the Giardini, in memory of Koyo Kouoh, the late curator of the main exhibition “In Minor Keys.” On the Biennale’s preview day, the tribute evoked a powerful blend of art and emotion, uniting artists and attendees in reflection and celebration.
Kouoh, who passed away last May at 57, left a lasting legacy in the art world. In her absence, a team of assistants and advisers curated the exhibition, channeling her visionary spirit. Standing on a newly erected pavilion, Marie Hélène Pereira, the interim lead of the Biennale, shared that the procession drew inspiration from a 1999 voyage Kouoh undertook with African poets.
More than a dozen poets and artists, including Natalie Diaz, Robin Coste Lewis, and Anne Waldman, shared their voices. Waldman emphasized the significance of preserving civilization’s beauty. Music added another layer to the tribute. Virtuosic kora player Saliou Cissokho and Swiss saxophonist Philippe Mall, Kouoh’s husband, performed moving compositions. Mall’s performance of “Nature Boy” was a touching homage to Kouoh, capturing the depth of their bond.
The procession drew in unsuspecting bystanders, like photographer Radu Neacșu, who compared the gathering to an Easter tradition. The collective experience underscored the human connection and the shared invisible bonds, highlighting the need for such performances in today’s world.
Unlike other Biennale gestures marked by protest, such as the Pussy Riot and FEMEN demonstration against the Russia Pavilion, this tribute focused on the resilience and joy found in African culture, even amidst pain. The poetry caravan at the Venice Biennale was a testament to Koyo Kouoh’s enduring influence and a celebration of artistic expression’s ability to transcend time and space.