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The Latest Breaking News from Michael DAgostino

'No time for grudges': artist duo's eyes set on Venice

Two artists dumped then brought back as Australia's representatives for the prestigious Venice Biennale want attention on their work, not an earlier fracas.

AAP

After a turbulent year, Australia’s Khaled Sabsabi will present two works at the Venice Biennale

The artist, who was controversially revoked and then reinstated by his government, is planning a ‘nurturing experience’ to bring people together

The Guardian - AU

Creative Australia awards Khaled Sabsabi $100,000 grant months after dumping from Venice Biennale

Funding is a silver lining in a tumultuous year for the Lebanese-Australian artist from western Sydney

The Guardian - AU

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Creative Australia will face pressure to make ‘safe’ artistic choices after Sabsabi controversy, industry figures warn

Critics warn a corporate-style risk framework could stifle creativity and call for a renewed commitment to artistic independence

The Guardian - AU

Afternoon Update: dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali; Creative Australia chair apologises to Sabsabi; and rise of robot narrators

At least four people have died after a ferry travelling from Java sank, Indonesia police say

The Guardian - AU

The takeaway from the Venice Biennale saga: the art world faces deep and troubling structural inequality

Creative Australia’s decision earlier this year to rescind the selection of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s 2026 representatives at the Venice Biennale sent shockwaves through the arts sector.

The Conversation

Creative Australia apologises to Khaled Sabsabi for ‘hurt and pain’ after Venice Biennale reinstatement

Wesley Enoch tells ABC RN the artist’s work was not about glorification of terrorism and says Sabsabi is ‘incredibly peace-loving’

The Guardian - AU

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Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures

The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom in Australia.

The Conversation

Apology for hurt and pain as Venice arts duo reinstated

The federal arts funding body has apologised to an artist and curator axed from representing Australia at the Venice Biennale, but who have now been reinstated.

AAP

Axed duo back in Biennale after 'avoidable' arts crisis

After a backflip, artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino have been reinstated as Australia's representatives at an international exhibition.

AAP

Long-awaited probe into dumped Biennale artists lands

After Australia's Venice Biennale picks were controversially dropped, Creative Australia promised a review. Four months later, it's complete.

AAP

Khaled Sabsabi says ‘common sense has prevailed’ after Monash University allows exhibition to go ahead

Flat Earth: Stolon Press, which was called off after Sabsabi was dumped as Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, will now open on 29 May

The Guardian - AU

‘A lot of pride and joy’: the First Nations team representing Australia at the Venice Biennale of Architecture

These seven architects hope to show First Nations design and connection to Country at the world’s most prestigious architecture exhibition

The Guardian - AU

Restore Venice artist's name or be sued, says gallerist

Artist Khaled Sabsabi has suffered personally and professionally since Creative Australia rescinded his commission for the Venice Biennale, his gallerist says.

AAP

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AAP

Ditched art duo drum up cash for Venice project

After Creative Australia rescinded their Biennale commission, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino are fundraising for an independent artwork in Venice instead.

The Guardian - AU

Khaled Sabsabi show cancelled one month after sacking from Venice Biennale

Monash University has ‘indefinitely postponed’ upcoming exhibition at Monash University Museum of Art in Melbourne, after ‘consultation with our communities’

AAP

Mass letter urges arts minister to act over Venice snub

Protests against the dumping of Australia's art team for the Venice Biennale continue, with hundreds of artists and curators demanding government action.

The Conversation

Who gets to be political in Australian art?

When the invitation for artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale was rescinded, the statement from Creative Australia’s board said their selection now posed “an unacceptable risk” and “could undermine our goal of bringing Australians together”.

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The Conversation

Creative Australia’s decisions should be peer reviewed and at arm’s length. Where did things go wrong?

For the past three weeks the arts have been dominated by a recent decision made by the board of Creative Australia. On February 7 it was announced Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino had been chosen as the artistic team to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale in 2026.

AAP

Venice team reversal was racist, art awards judge says

The revocation of Australia's Venice Biennale team was racist, writer and judge of the postponed Asia Pacific Arts Awards Jinghua Qian says.

The Guardian - AU

Creative Australia boss forced to refute rumour he had resigned as fallout over Khaled Sabsabi dumping continues

Adrian Collette sends all-staff email denying that he and the chair of Creative Australia’s board had quit amid calls for resignations

AAP

Venice Biennale team wants apology as supporters rally

The artist and curator dumped from their Venice Biennale commission have called for Creative Australia to explain and apologise, as their supporters rally.

The Guardian - AU

Khaled Sabsabi pledges to show Venice Biennale work despite Creative Australia decision to drop him

Artist and curator Michael Dagostino break silence following Creative Australia decision to withdraw them as representatives

Pedestrian.tv

Creative Australia Breaks Silence About Venice Biennale Scandal In Tense Senate Hearing

The agency has been fending off claims of political interference and censorship since it rescinded the selection of Western Sydney artist Khaled Sabsabi earlier this month.

AAP

Call for resignation of arts chief after fiery hearing

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called for Creative Australia's chief executive to resign, over the decision to ditch the Venice Biennale team.

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