An artist and curator will head to Italy for the 2026 Venice Biennale, after an initial decision to cancel their exhibition at the international event.
Arts funding agency Creative Australia has apologised to artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino, who it previously told wouldn’t attend over concerns about old artworks featuring a former Hezbollah leader.
The reversal follows a review that concluded Creative Australia’s original decision involved “oversights, misunderstandings, missteps and assumptions”.
Biennale
The Venice Biennale is an international art exhibition held every other year. The next exhibition is scheduled for April to November 2026.
At the Biennale, many countries, including Australia, have pavilions showcasing the work of an artist or group of artists.
In February, artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were selected to represent Australia “based on the advice of a panel of independent industry advisors”.
Cancellation
A week after the initial announcement, Creative Australia’s board reversed the decision to nominate Sabsabi and Dagostino.
It came after the then-Shadow Arts Minister Claire Chandler questioned the decision in Parliament, referencing Sabsabi’s previous works, including one that depicted the former leader of Hezbollah – a Lebanese militant group – Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated last year.
She also cited another of Sabsabi’s works that featured footage of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
In justifying its initial decision, the Creative Australia board said: “Prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community”.
The cancellation triggered backlash among artists and several resignations at Creative Australia, including board member Lindy Lee.
One arts program, Gertrude, joined what it called a “chorus of condemnation” within the community.
Chair of Creative Australia Robert Morgan stepped down in May.
Review
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Creative Australia commissioned an independent review of its decision-making processes.
The review’s final report was published this week, finding board members were “not well-prepared to respond to any sensitivities or contentious issues that arose as a result of the selection decision.”
In response, Creative Australia said: “The Board is now of the view that proceeding with the Artistic Team, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino represents the preferred outcome.”
Sabsabi & Dagostino
Creative Australia commissioned an independent review of its decision-making processes.
The review’s final report was published this week, finding board members were “not well-prepared to respond to any sensitivities or contentious issues that arose as a result of the selection decision.”
In response, Creative Australia said: “The Board is now of the view that proceeding with the Artistic Team, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino represents the preferred outcome.”
Response
Arts Minister Tony Burke said Creative Australia’s decisions were made at “arm’s-length” from the government.
However, he said “due diligence” hadn’t been done prior to the artist’s selection, including briefing the board about any work that might be controversial.
“When… the artist himself says there is nothing in this that’s meant to in any way endorse terrorism, then I don’t think politicians can say, ‘well, you’re wrong, and it is,’“ Burke told the ABC.
Opposition
Shadow Arts Minister Julian Leeser criticised the decision to reinstate Sabsabi and Dagostino.
“To reinstate an artist and give them taxpayer funds, after they have glorified the leaders of listed terrorist organisations, flies in the face of these values.”
Sabsabi and other artists have rejected this characterisation of the Hezbollah piece.
“This has been a deeply flawed process from the beginning and has now led to a ridiculous outcome,” Leeser said.
