Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from Venice Biennale 2026

An artist whose works include images of a former terror leader and a September 11 video titled ‘Thank You Very Much’ will no longer be representing Australia at one of the world’s biggest art shows.

Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke had expressed ‘shock’ that artist Khaled Sabsabi (inset top), who has previously depicted a dead terrorist leader in his works (inset bottom), was selected to represent Australia at a world-famous art exhibition.

A prominent artist whose body of work includes images of a notorious terrorist leader and a September 11 video titled “Thank You Very Much” has been withdrawn as Australia’s official selection for one of the biggest art shows in the world.

Creative Australia confirmed on Thursday night that Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino would no longer be attending 61st International Art Exhibition taking place in Italy next year.

A statement provided to The Daily Telegraph read: “The board of Creative Australia has made the unanimous decision not to proceed with the artistic team chosen for the Venice Biennale 2026.

“Creative Australia is an advocate for freedom of artistic expression and is not an adjudicator on the interpretation of art.

“However, the Board believes a prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community and could undermine our goal of bringing Australians together through art and creativity,” the statement read.

Images of Khaled Sabsabi’s artwork of long-time Hezbollah terror leader Hassan Nasrallah. Picture: Supplied

The selection of the two men, announced only days ago, received positive coverage by a range of media outlets, with stories about Mr Sabsabi’s diverse career and his journey to Australia from Lebanon in the late 1970s.

However, details have since emerged about some of his most provocative pieces, including a video artwork of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of terrorist organisation Hezbollah, who was assassinated last year.

According to a description from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Mr Sabsabi’s video artwork of Nasrallah depicts his “face with beams of light that shine from his eyes and mouth, suggestive of a divine illumination.”

It also repeats Nasrallah’s words from a “victory rally in Beirut, celebrating the end of a 34-day war with Israel that was fought in the south of Lebanon.”

Arts Minister Tony Burke said he was ‘shocked’ by the artworks. Picture: Martin Ollman

Further concerns were raised by Liberal Senator Claire Chandler, who told parliament on Thursday Mr Sabsabi had “previously produced artwork promoting Osama bin Laden and a series of 9/11 images of the aircraft hitting the Twin Towers, titled Thank You Very Much”.

Ms Chandler said: “With such appalling anti-Semitism in our country, why is the Albanese government allowing the person who highlights a terrorist leader in his artwork to represent Australia on the international stage…?”

Responding to the controversy, federal Arts Minister Tony Burke confirmed to this masthead he “was not involved in the decision.”

“I was shocked to see some of the works which are online this afternoon” Mr Burke said.

Creative Australia also confirmed it would be reviewing the selection process for the Venice Biennale 2026.

Khaled Sabsabi with his works at Mosman Art Gallery. Picture: Supplied

Only a week ago, the organisation’s CEO Adrian Collette said Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino’s works “reflect the diversity and plurality of Australia’s rich culture, and will spark meaningful conversations with audiences around the world”.

The pair were selected ahead of five other short-listed Australian teams, including a number of First Nations entries.

In a statement on social media - Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino said they were “extremely hurt and disappointed” by the decision.

“We intended to present a transformational work in Venice, an experience that would unite all audience in an open and safe shared space. This reflects and builds on the works we have done for decades and will do for many more.”

Mr Sabsabi added: “art should not be censored as artists reflect the times they live in.”

Originally published as Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from Venice Biennale 2026