Creative Australia Sparks Outcry Over Rescinded Venice Biennale Representation

In an unprecedented move, Creative Australia has rescinded the selection of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia's representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale, igniting a nationwide discourse on artistic freedom and political influence in the arts.

The decision, announced on February 13, 2025, followed criticism from political figures and media outlets regarding Sabsabi's past works, particularly his 2007 video installation "You," which features images of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Australian newspaper highlighted these works, questioning whether Sabsabi and Dagostino should be "custodians of our nation’s reputation at this prestigious biennale in Venice." (theartnewspaper.com)

In response to the growing controversy, Creative Australia's board convened an extraordinary meeting and unanimously decided to revoke the selection. In a statement, the board expressed concern that "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." (abc.net.au)

The decision has led to significant resignations within Creative Australia. Mikala Tai, head of visual arts, and program manager Tahmina Maskinyar both stepped down in protest. Maskinyar criticized the lack of "due diligence" around the decision, stating it would set an "uncharted precedent" for future funding allocations. (theguardian.com)

The arts community has widely condemned the move. The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) called on Creative Australia to reverse its decision, emphasizing the importance of "supporting creative freedom and providing platforms for diverse voices and perspectives." (amagavic.org.au) Similarly, the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) criticized the lack of transparency and failure to consult the artistic team, stating that the decision "fundamentally undermines one of the most important purposes of contemporary artistic practice." (visualarts.org.au)

Sabsabi and Dagostino expressed their disappointment, stating, "We are profoundly saddened by Creative Australia's cancellation of our appointment to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale. This experience has been personally and professionally distressing." (theartnewspaper.com)

The controversy has also drawn political attention. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young remarked that the rescinding of Sabsabi's appointment had brought Australia "international shame" and opened the door to "artists being used as political fodder." (theartnewspaper.com)

The incident underscores the complex interplay between art, politics, and society, raising important questions about the role of governmental bodies in supporting and regulating artistic expression. The arts community continues to advocate for the reinstatement of Sabsabi and Dagostino, emphasizing the need to uphold artistic freedom and integrity in the face of political pressures.