Australian Arts Controversy: Resignations and Petitions Follow Venice Biennale Decision
Australia’s decision to withdraw Lebanese-born artist Khaled Sabsabi from representing the country at the 2026 Venice Biennale has sparked a significant backlash. This controversy is marked by a series of high-profile resignations and numerous petitions, underscoring the profound impact of this decision on the Australian arts community.
Senior Officials Resign in Solidarity
Several senior officials at Creative Australia, the national body responsible for arts funding and promotion, have publicly resigned in protest of the decision. Notably, Mikala Tai, who previously led the organization’s visual arts department, announced her resignation. Tai’s decision, made public in a letter to Chief Executive Adrian Collette, is based on her strong support for Sabsabi. Program manager Tahmina Maskinyar also submitted her resignation, criticizing Creative Australia for failing to conduct “due diligence” and neglecting to consider the artist’s perspective throughout the decision-making process.
Art World Leaders Speak Out
The fallout extends beyond Creative Australia’s staff. Former Venice Biennale commissioner and Australian investment banker Simon Mordant has resigned as an international ambassador for the event. He has also withdrawn his financial support for the Australian pavilion, standing in solidarity with Sabsabi by proposing to leave the pavilion empty. Mordant’s statement, highlighting the consequential nature of the decision for Australia and the arts, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Creative Australia Remains Silent
In response to these developments, Creative Australia did not provide any further comment, leaving the public in the dark about the rationale behind the withdrawal of Sabsabi from the Venice Biennale. This lack of transparency has added to the frustration and criticism faced by the organization.
Artistic Community Reacts
The shortlisted artistic teams for the 2026 Biennale pavilion issued a letter calling for the reinstatement of Sabsabi and his curator, Marco Maggioni Dagostino. This letter, addressed to the Creative Australia board, emphasized the rigorous open-call process that selected Sabsabi and Dagostino. It also referenced the groundbreaking achievement of the 2024 Golden Lion winners, Bigambul-Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose, highlighting the importance of upholding artistic excellence and freedom of expression in Australia.
This open letter was later joined by another, signed by over 800 artists, cultural workers, writers, and educators. Published in the Melbourne-based platform Memo Review, it echoed the call for Sabsabi’s reinstatement and accused Creative Australia of “artistic censorship.” The letter questioned the organization’s commitment to artistic integrity, raising concerns about its ability to maintain standards amidst political pressures.
Implications for Australian Arts
The controversy surrounding Sabsabi’s exclusion from the Venice Biennale has broader implications for the Australian arts community. It highlights the delicate balance between artistic independence and external influence in shaping cultural representation on the global stage. The resignations and petitions amplify a growing chorus calling for greater accountability and transparency in arts funding and decision-making processes.
Conclusion
The decision by Australia to remove Khaled Sabsabi from the 2026 Venice Biennale has precipitated a significant controversy in the arts world. The series of resignations and petitions reflect the strong advocacy by artists, cultural workers, and supporters for Sabsabi’s representation. This episode raises critical questions about artistic freedom and institutional oversight, underscoring the need for a robust dialogue on these issues in the Australian arts community.
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