Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke contacted the chief executive of Creative Australia hours before the selection body revoked its invitation to the nation's pick for the Venice Biennale.
Western Sydney-based artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino had been selected to represent Australia, a decision announced earlier in February.
That was until two of Sabsabi's early artworks, which reference the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US and listed terrorist group Hezbollah, were raised in parliament.
Mr Burke called the head of funding body Creative Australia immediately after queries about the artist's early works were raised in question time on Thursday.
Mr Burke told the ABC's 730 program he was shocked to hear about these artworks, and rang Creative Australia chief executive and board member Adrian Collette immediately.
"I rang Adrian to find out what had happened. At that point, he had already determined that they were going to have a board meeting that night," Mr Burke said.
He denied interfering in the decision to ditch Australia's entry.
"I said to him whatever you decide, I will support you, and I will support Creative Australia. I was very clear in that."
Hours later Creative Australia announced its board had decided unanimously to revoke the selection.
It's led to a spate of resignations, with artist Lindy Lee quitting the board, and senior figures within the organisation also walking away.
The arts publication Memo has issued an open letter to Creative Australia calling for the reinstatement of the artistic team, that has been signed by more than 3000 people.
"If Creative Australia cannot even stand by its expert-led selection for a matter of hours, abandoning its own process at the first sign of pressure, then what does that say about its commitment to artistic excellence and freedom of expression?" the letter asks.
There have also been calls from the art community for the Creative Australia board to be dissolved, and for artists to boycott the 2026 Biennale.
Meanwhile, Biennale organisers declined to comment on the selection of participants to represent Australia.
"National Participations are autonomous in all their decisions and choices," the La Biennale di Venezia press office said in a statement.
At the 2024 Biennale, artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose won the Golden Lion for the artwork kith and kin in 2024, in a first for Australia.
Now, it may not be able to send anyone to the most prestigious event in contemporary art.
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