Creative Australia Reinstates Artist Khaled Sabsabi and Curator Michael Dagostino for 2026 Venice Biennale

Creative Australia has reinstated artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia's representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale, following an independent review that identified governance failures in the initial selection process. The decision, announced on July 2, 2025, marks a significant reversal from the organization's earlier move to rescind their appointments amid political scrutiny.

In February 2025, Creative Australia initially selected Sabsabi and Dagostino to represent the nation at the prestigious art event. However, less than a week later, the board unanimously withdrew their appointments, citing concerns over a "prolonged and divisive debate" stemming from political scrutiny of Sabsabi's past works. This decision was met with widespread condemnation from the arts community, leading to resignations within Creative Australia and calls for reinstatement.

The independent review, conducted by governance advisory firm Blackhall & Pearl, highlighted the organization's lack of preparedness for potential controversies and identified a series of "missteps, assumptions, and missed opportunities" in the decision-making process. Acting Chair Wesley Enoch publicly apologized for the "hurt and pain" caused by the board's actions, stating, "I want to apologize to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process."

Sabsabi, a Lebanese-Australian artist with over 35 years of experience in video, mixed media, and installation art, often explores themes of identity, politics, and human collectiveness. Dagostino, an esteemed curator and director, has a history of facilitating artist-driven approaches and is currently the Director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.

The controversy surrounding Sabsabi's appointment underscores the tension between artistic freedom and political scrutiny. The initial decision to rescind the appointments was met with widespread condemnation from the arts community, highlighting concerns over censorship and the potential stifling of diverse voices. The subsequent reinstatement serves as a reaffirmation of the importance of artistic expression and the need for organizations to be prepared for potential controversies.

The reinstatement of Sabsabi and Dagostino is seen as a reaffirmation of Creative Australia's commitment to artistic freedom. As the duo prepares to showcase their vision at the 2026 Venice Biennale, the arts community anticipates a presentation that reflects the diversity and plurality of Australia's rich culture.