The Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá (Mambo) has abruptly announced it will replace its artistic director, Eugenio Viola, who has been in the role for more than seven years. A spokesperson for the Colombian museum confirmed that it has already begun the search for Viola’s successor. The institution first announced the news on its social media channels, stating that the change was part of a “comprehensive review”.
“The board of directors ended my contract early, not due to any artistic or leadership deficiencies,” Viola said in a statement to The Art Newspaper. “My departure followed my decision to raise concerns with the board in September 2025 regarding the progressive deterioration of working conditions—concerns shared by several team members. Instead of conducting an internal review, the board dismissed these issues and terminated my contract.”
Viola said that the decision was made public last Friday (6 February) without allowing him any recourse to appeal or respond to the decision. “These actions do not align with the principles of transparency, due process and open exchange that any cultural institution should uphold,” he says. “I leave with my integrity intact, having acted in good faith, supported my team and consistently maintained ethical standards.”
The museum’s official statement announcing Viola’s dismissal on 6 February claimed that “as a result of the comprehensive and ongoing review of the different aspects that comprise our museum, and always with the aim of ensuring best practices within the institution, the board of directors of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Bogotá has decided to terminate its relationship with Mr Eugenio Viola, who will remain with us until May 2026”. The statement expressed gratitude to Viola for his contributions to “consolidating the museum as a leading Latin American institution for contemporary art” and noted that the search for a new artistic director has already begun with the guidance of experts. “The outcome of this process will be communicated in due course,” the statement concluded.
Founded in 1953, Mambo is one of Colombia’s leading cultural institutions and has played a central role in promoting modern and contemporary art in the country and the region. Viola’s departure comes at a time of internal transition. In recent years, the museum has undergone leadership changes and administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening its management model and financial sustainability as it grapples with many of the same challenges faced by many private cultural organisations across Latin America.
Since taking over as Mambo’s artistic director in 2019, Viola has been involved in curating more than 50 exhibitions, many of them receiving national and international acclaim. His programme included shows by the Chilean installation artist Voluspa Jarpa, the Mexican conceptual artist Teresa Margolles, the Guatemalan multi-disciplinary artist Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa and the Chilean artist Seba Calfuqueo, as well as the first exhibition in 30 years dedicated to Óscar Muñoz, a key Colombian contemporary artist.
Before moving to Bogotá, Viola was a senior curator at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in Western Australia and held various curatorial positions at the Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Donnaregina in Naples. He curated the Italian Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale and the 24th Bienal de Arte Paiz in Guatemala (until 15 February).
Viola did not say what role he might pursue next, but did confirm that he will move back to his hometown of Naples after ten years of living and working abroad. He added that he will fulfil his existing international curatorial commitments.
