The Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi has been dropped from representing the Australian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, five days after his appointment was first announced.
The decision follows pressure from critics, including an article in the Australian, which singled out Sabsabi’s 2007 film You. The film features an address by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese paramilitary and political organization Hezbollah, who was assassinated last year. The speech was given at a 2006 victory rally in Beirut to celebrate the end of a 34-day war with Israel that was fought in the south of Lebanon. In the video, Nasrallah’s profile gradually splinters across the screen, while his voice is cast across two channels beneath additional layers of audio added by the artist. The headline in the Australian calls Sabsabi’s work a ‘creative approach to racism’.
The issue was also discussed in the Australian Senate when Claire Chandler raised Sabsabi’s selection, saying: ‘With such appalling antisemitism in our country, why is the Albanese government allowing the person who highlights a terrorist leader in his artwork to represent Australia on the international stage?’
The statement by Creative Australia, who organise the national pavilion, reads: ‘Creative Australia is an advocate for freedom of artistic expression and is not an adjudicator on the interpretation of art. However, the Board believes a prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community and could undermine our goal of bringing Australians together through art and creativity.’
Creative Australia are yet to announce a replacement, and will carry out an internal review.
The 61st Venice Biennale, curated by Koyo Kouoh, opens in April 2026.
14 February: Speaking to ArtReview, Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino stated:
“We are extremely hurt and disappointed in Creative Australia board’s decision to rescind our appointment to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale. We intended to present a transformational work in Venice, an experience that would unite all audiences in an open and safe shared space. This reflects and builds on the work we have done for decades and will do for many more.”
“Art should not be censored as artists reflect the times they live in. We believe in the vision of artists for an inclusive future that can bring us together to communicate and progress our shared humanity. We also believe that, despite this decision, the Australian art world will not dim and or be silent. The artistic team is still committed to presenting this work on a global platform and will seek community support to make this happen.”
Meanwhile, Mikala Tai, head of visual arts at Creative Australia, has resigned over the board’s decision to drop Sabsabi. Tai confirmed to the Guardian that her resignation was in support of both Sabsabi and Dagostino.
Philanthropist and former Venice Biannale commissioner Simon Mordant also announced his resignation from his role as an international ambassador for the 61st Venice Biennale, while a number of Creative Australia staff walked out of the organisation’s Sydney office in protest earlier today.
17 February: The shortlisted artists and curators for the 2026 Australian Pavilion have published an open letter stating their support for Sabsabi and Dagostino, and calling for both to be reinstated.
The letter argues that ‘revoking support for the current Australian artist and curator representatives for Venice Biennale 2026 is antithetical to the goodwill and hard-fought artistic independence, freedom of speech and moral courage that is at the core of arts in Australia, which plays a crucial role in our thriving and democratic nation.’
