Artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino have been reinstated as Australia’s representatives at the 2026 Venice Biennale after a controversial decision to drop them earlier this year was reversed by Creative Australia, the selection body for the country’s pavilion.
The initial decision to rescind Sabsabi and Dagostino’s appointment came in February, following scrutiny faced by Sabsabi, who was born in Lebanon, over some of his artworks created nearly two decades ago. Among the criticized works was a 2007 video and sonic installation titled “You,” featuring images of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and “Thank you very much” (2006), a compilation of the September 11 attacks and George W. Bush.
After a third-party review by governance advisory firm Blackhall and Pearl highlighted missteps in handling the situation, Creative Australia decided to continue with the commission of Sabsabi and Dagostino. The review emphasized the need for a well-developed communications and crisis management plan to address any potential controversies.
In a statement, Creative Australia announced that proceeding with Sabsabi and Dagostino as the artistic team was the preferred outcome. The decision was met with support from the creative community, including over 4,400 artists from around the world who signed a letter calling for their reinstatement.
Sabsabi and Dagostino expressed their gratitude for the support received during the difficult time and stated their commitment to the project. They emphasized the importance of creating and sharing new work as a means of healing and renewal.
The exhibition featuring Sabsabi’s work at Monash University, which was postponed following the initial decision to drop him from the Biennale, has since opened. The artist and curator are now focused on recommitting themselves fully to the project and hope to move forward with the support of the Australian and international creative community.
For further comments and updates, inquiries have been made to Sabsabi and Creative Australia. The reinstatement of Sabsabi and Dagostino signifies a renewed sense of confidence in the integrity of the selection process and a commitment to showcasing their work at the prestigious Venice Biennale.
