Sabsabi, Australia and Venice Biennale

Australian artists demand immediate reinstatement of Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino to Venice Biennale
The sudden decision to dump the acclaimed artist and curator occurred soon after the Albanese Labor government’s arts minister phoned Creative Australia’s chief executive officer.
Khaled Sabsabi Will Not Be Reinstated as Australia's Venice Biennale Representative
The sudden cancelation of the Lebanese-born artist's Venice Biennale pavilion prompted an outcry within Australia's arts community.
Local Artist Khaled Sabsabi ‘Hurt’ After Being Dropped As Aus Choice For Venice Biennale
Creative Australia reversed its decision following backlash over his past artwork, citing concerns about "divisive debate".
Artists criticise Creative Australia's decision to drop Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino from Venice Biennale 2026
Artists shortlisted to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale have spoken out against Creative Australia's decision to pull Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi from the role.
Artist Archie Moore ‘Appalled’ by Australia’s Decision to Drop Khaled Sabsabi From the 2026 Venice Biennale
Australia has dropped its artist for the next Venice Biennale in 2026 after critics dug up some of his controversial early works.
Khaled Sabsabi will no longer represent Australia at the Venice Biennale in 2026
Move follows an article in The Australian newspaper, which called attention to controversial works by the artist including depictions of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah
Lebanese-Australian artist dropped from 2026 Venice Biennale over Nasrallah imagery
Khaled Sabsabi removed from show after article singles out 2007 work featuring late Hezbollah terror leader; Sabsabi says he is 'extremely hurt and disappointed' by decision The post Lebanese-Australian artist dropped from 2026 Venice Biennale over Nasrallah imagery appeared first on The Times of Israel.
Resignations follow dumping of Australian artist from Venice Biennale
All other biennale finalists have called for Creative Australia to reinstate multimedia artist Khaled Sabsabi as the nation’s chosen entrant.
Demands for inquiry into dumping of Aust Venice art duo
How and why did Creative Australia uninvite the team it picked for the Venice Biennale? There are calls for an independent inquiry to find out.
MCA backs dumped artist, deepening Biennale backflip crisis
A week on from Khaled Sabsabi’s sensational sacking from the Venice Biennale over a Hezbollah-linked work, there has been ...
How Creative Australia's perplexing backflip on Khaled Sabsabi defines our current moment of turmoil
What happened? Future historians might puzzle over this seismic shift in sentiment at the top of Australia's foremost public ...
‘Corruption of principles’: Venice Biennale sacking fallout grows
Golden Lion-winning artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose have lashed the decision to sack Australia’s ...
Khaled Sabsabi and the Venice Biennale art scandal
How artist Khaled Sabsabi was picked, and then dumped, from Australia’s Venice Biennale mission – and why his art about ...