The Latest Breaking News from the Venice Biennale

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 · Feb 25

Tove, Frida and Schiaparelli: The 10 unmissable exhibitions and art events of 2026

Next year brings blockbuster shows from the Venice Biennale to a Frida Kahlo retrospective, plus the Middle East's most exciting new art fair.

Euronews · Dec 31, 2025

Little trust in Creative Australia after Venice snafu

Trust in Creative Australia is at an all-time low due to the Venice Biennale controversy, but the decision to reinstate the artistic team may bring healing.

AAP · Jul 4, 2025

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.

The Conversation · Mar 5, 2025

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.

AAP · Feb 25, 2025

Arts awards postponed amid Venice selection uproar

The Asia Pacific Arts Awards have been postponed, amid a row over the decision to ditch the team picked for the Venice Biennale.

AAP · Feb 24, 2025

Artists who represented Australia at Venice Biennale call for Khaled Sabsabi to be reinstated

Open letter from some of the country’s most distinguished artists ‘strongly protests’ at the removal of Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino

The Guardian - AU · Feb 22, 2025

Minister made phone call before Venice pick reversal

The arts minister spoke to the chief of Creative Australia after questions were asked in parliament about the artist chosen to go to the Venice Biennale.

AAP · Feb 17, 2025

Demands for inquiry into dumping of Aust Venice art duo

How and why did Creative Australia uninvite the team it picked for the Venice Biennale? There are calls for an independent inquiry to find out.

AAP · Feb 17, 2025

‘A shameful call by Creative Australia’: the arts community reacts to Khaled Sabsabi being dropped from the Venice Biennale

To be selected as the artist and curator team to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale is considered the ultimate exhibition for an artistic team. To have your selection rescinded, as has now happened to the 2026 team of Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino, is without precedent.

The Conversation · Feb 14, 2025