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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Kelly Burke

‘No artist’ will want to represent Australia at Venice Biennale after Sabsabi dumped, former museum head says

MCA director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor wearing a white skivvy and black cardigan crossing arms
MCA director Elizabeth Ann McGregor says the Australian pavilion at the Venice Biennale is now ‘totally tainted’. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The Australian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale is likely to remain dark next year for the first time, the former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art says.

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor on Tuesday weighed into the fracas over Creative Australia’s decision to rescind its Venice Biennale contract to Lebanese-born Australia artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino, just six days after announcing the pair would be Australia’s representatives at the 2026 prestigious international art event.

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