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The renowned curator steps down as Artistic Director of Haus der Kunst, citing health reasons

 

Okwui Enwezor, Nigerian art critic, art historian and curator, has announced his resignation as Artistic Director of the Haus der Kunst in Munich, citing “health reasons”.

Having served on the board since 2011, Enwezor’s other notable pursuits include curating the 2015 Venice Biennale titled ‘All the World’s Futures’, co-authoring the widely-acclaimed publication, Contemporary African Art since 1980, and the 2016 Haus der Kunst exhibition, ‘Postwar: Art between the Pacific and the Atlantic’. Enwezor was also the curator of the 2nd Johannesburg Biennale, titled ‘Trade Routes: History and Geography’.

He emerged onto the global art scene in 1998 after curating Documenta 11, and has since established himself as, perhaps, the most influential curator of the last quarter-century through large-scale exhibitions that considered art in a global, political, and social context.

STORY okwui-enwezorOkwui Enwezor leaves the Haus der Kunst in Munich, Germany. © picture-alliance / dpa.

 

Cultural Minister, Prof. Dr. Kiechle as Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Meeting, commented: “Thanks to Okwui Enwezor’s outstanding exhibition programme, Haus der Kunst’s international reputation has been considerably strengthened. As a result of his curatorial expertise, the institution has received worldwide recognition.”

Haus der Kunst commented: “The staff of Haus der Kunst combines their regret over Okwui Enwezor’s departure with the best wishes for continued good recovery. Over the years of cooperation, his bold and ambitious concepts of artistic excellence have widened our perspective immensely, and for that we are grateful.”

Haus der Kunst’s recently appointed Chief Executive, Bernhard Spies, and the Chief Curator, Ulrich Wilmes are set to lead the museum until a new Artistic Director is appointed.

Ellen Agnew is a writer on ART AFRICA‘s editorial team.

FEATURED IMAGE: Haus der Kunst, Munich. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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