Artistic Freedom Under Siege: Controversy Over Australia's Venice Biennale Selection

In February 2025, Creative Australia, the nation's principal arts funding body, selected Lebanese-born Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale. This decision, made through a rigorous peer assessment process, was swiftly overturned following political scrutiny of Sabsabi's earlier works, leading to significant resignations and a broader debate on artistic freedom.

Sabsabi, known for his thought-provoking installations, was chosen from a pool of 50 applicants. However, shortly after the announcement, Senator Claire Chandler raised concerns in the Australian Senate about two of Sabsabi's past works: "You" (2007), featuring images of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and "Thank You Very Much" (2006), depicting the September 11 attacks. Chandler questioned the appropriateness of these works, prompting immediate attention from Arts Minister Tony Burke.

Within hours, Creative Australia's board convened an emergency meeting and decided to rescind Sabsabi's selection, citing potential risks to public support for the arts community. Chair Robert Morgan stated, "We were between a rock and a hard place, and we really only had one alternative and that was to go forward and consider rescinding the commission." CEO Adrian Collette added, "I have felt very strongly the concern that the artistic community has about this decision. I think we have got a huge job of work to do to restore their confidence in our ability to make independent, expert-informed, arms-length decisions."

The decision led to significant backlash. Visual Arts Head Mikala Tai and Program Manager Tahmina Maskinyar resigned in protest. Tai stated her resignation was "in support of the artist," while Maskinyar criticized the lack of due diligence in the decision-making process. Additionally, Simon Mordant, Australia's international ambassador for the Venice Biennale, resigned, citing "poor process by the government-run arts body."

The arts community widely condemned Creative Australia's actions. The Australian Institute of Contemporary Arts (AICSA) described the decision as "an alarming capitulation to political pressure that threatens the integrity of Creative Australia's arms-length decision-making processes." An open letter signed by over 4,000 individuals called for Sabsabi's reinstatement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining artistic independence.

Sabsabi expressed profound sadness over the decision, stating that the experience had been "personally and professionally distressing." He emphasized that his earlier works were misrepresented and were intended to critique the brutality of war and the sensationalism of propaganda. Sabsabi and Dagostino have since launched a crowdfunding campaign to independently present their work at the Venice Biennale, underscoring their commitment to ensuring that their voices and ideas are not silenced.

The controversy has sparked a broader debate about artistic freedom, political influence, and the role of arts funding bodies in Australia. The decision to rescind Sabsabi's selection has been viewed by many as a dangerous precedent that could undermine the integrity of the arts sector. The potential absence of an Australian representative at the 2026 Venice Biennale further highlights the ramifications of this decision on the country's international cultural standing.

As the arts community continues to grapple with the implications of this decision, the need for clear policies that safeguard artistic expression from political pressures becomes increasingly evident. The outcome of this controversy may well shape the future of artistic freedom and cultural diplomacy in Australia.