Khaled Sabsabi Reinstated as Australia’s 2026 Venice Biennale Representative After Controversial Reversal
Renowned Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi has been reappointed as Australia’s representative for the 2026 Venice Biennale, nearly six months after Creative Australia’s board abruptly withdrew his initial selection. In February, Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were confirmed for the prestigious art event, but their invitations were rescinded just days later due to concerns about potential controversy surrounding Sabsabi’s past works.
Following widespread backlash, resignations, and an external review, Creative Australia has now reversed the decision. The review found no single critical failure but cited a series of poor judgments and missed opportunities. Creative Australia has accepted all of the review’s recommendations.
Sabsabi and Dagostino welcomed the reversal, calling it a step toward resolution after a period of distress and vowing to recommit to the project with “optimism and hope.” They emphasized that the work intended for Venice would foster healing and understanding.
Creative Australia’s acting chair Wesley Enoch said the board had deeply reflected on the matter and concluded that moving forward with Sabsabi and Dagostino was the best course of action. CEO Adrian Collette issued a formal apology to the artists and the wider arts community, acknowledging the damage caused and pledging to rebuild trust.
The controversy originated after concerns were raised in Parliament about Sabsabi’s earlier artworks, including a 2006 piece referencing 9/11 and a 2007 depiction of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Although these works were public and decades old, their resurfacing led to the initial cancellation, sparking debate about censorship, artistic freedom, and due diligence.
Arts Minister Tony Burke expressed support for the reversal but criticized Creative Australia for not alerting him to potential risks earlier. He emphasized the importance of allowing boards to revisit and correct their decisions, which he commended in this case.
The arts community strongly opposed the initial decision, with former Biennale artists and shortlisted candidates rallying in support of Sabsabi. Major donor Simon Mordant, who resigned in protest, has now returned as global ambassador for Australia at the Biennale, stating confidence in the project’s values and artistic merit.
In their joint statement, Sabsabi and Dagostino reaffirmed their commitment to creating an inclusive and unifying artwork for Venice, highlighting the need for empathy and dialogue in an increasingly polarized world.
