The artistic duo dropped from representing Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale say they are “extremely hurt and disappointed” by Creative Australia’s decision to rescind their appointment, after media and political pressure.
Award-winning Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi, and curator Michael Dagostino were announced last week as the successful team for the 2026 Biennale on the advice of a panel of independent industry advisers.
After a late night board meeting on Thursday, Creative Australia took the unprecedented step to dump the team after criticism of Sabsabi’s art by The Australian and the shadow arts minister, Claire Chandler.
“Art should not be censored as artists reflect the times they live in,” Sabsabi and Dagostino said in a statement to Guardian Australia.
www.theguardian.com
Award-winning Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi, and curator Michael Dagostino were announced last week as the successful team for the 2026 Biennale on the advice of a panel of independent industry advisers.
After a late night board meeting on Thursday, Creative Australia took the unprecedented step to dump the team after criticism of Sabsabi’s art by The Australian and the shadow arts minister, Claire Chandler.
“Art should not be censored as artists reflect the times they live in,” Sabsabi and Dagostino said in a statement to Guardian Australia.
‘Art should not be censored’: Khaled Sabsabi responds to cancellation of Venice Biennale project
The Lebanese Australian artist, and curator Michael Dagostino say they are ‘extremely hurt’ by Creative Australia’s decision
www.theguardian.com
