Sacked Aussie artists Khaled Sabsabi, Michael Dagostino reinstated for Venice Biennale

A major update has emerged after two Aussie artists were due to represent the country at the Venice Biennale, before they were sacked by Australia’s arts funding body.

Australian artists Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino have been recommissioned to represent the country at the 2026 Venice Biennale, following their controversial sacking.

A review of the governance of Creative Australia, Australia’s arts funding body, found there had been “a series of missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities” in the decision-making process around their dismissal.

Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino were selected for as the artistic team for the Australian Pavilion at the prestigious 2026 Venice Biennale, an internationally-renowned art show.

But in February, the pair were controversially removed from the art show after questions were raised over previous artworks by Mr Sabsabi.

Two of them – one featuring Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another video featuring footage of 9/11 and a clip of President George W. Bush saying “thank you very much” – were attributed as the cause of the initial cancellation.

Opposition arts spokeswoman Claire Chandler brought up the artworks in parliament at the time, and hours later the creative agency had backflipped on the pair’s appointment.

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

Acting Creative Australia Board Chair Wesley Enoch said the review was “emphatic” in finding a “unique set of circumstances” that the agency’s board had to address.

“The Board has considered and reflected deeply on all relevant issues to find a path forward,” Mr Enoch said in a statement.

“The Board is now of the view that proceeding with the Artistic Team, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino represents the preferred outcome.”

“The Board’s decision reflects its commitment to the important principle of freedom of artistic expression, supported by a strong, transparent, and accountable governance framework.

“The decision the Board took in February has weighed heavily on many people, most particularly the artistic team and for that we are sorry.

“We want to be clear that the decision was not a reflection on the artistic team and their remarkable body of work.”

The two artists released a joint statement on social media accepting the reinvitation.

Mr Sabsabi was dropped as the Venice representative for Australia earlier this year for unknown reasons, but has since been reinstated. Picture: Supplied

“We accept this invitation and welcome the opportunity to represent our country on this prestigious international stage,” the statement read.

“This decision has renewed our confidence in Creative Australia and in the integrity of its selection process.

“It offers a sense of resolution and allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship.”

Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino said that they extended their “deepest and heartfelt thanks” to their supporters.

Arts Minister Tony Burke backed the reinstatement of the two artists, noting the “clear” errors made by the board.

“The most significant of these errors was the failure to properly have a risk management strategy when some of Khaled Sabsabi’s early works were inevitably questioned.

“The failure to do that work meant that some works of art, which could have been defended, were not.

Michael Dagostino is the director of the Campbelltown Arts Centre. Picture: Supplied

“The report has shown that these works have not been regarded in any way, as promoting those involved with terrorism – the artist has made the same thing clear.

“If anything, the body of evidence says that these works are the exact opposite of something that could be seen to promote terrorism.

“Bearing that in mind, it makes complete sense that Creative Australia have recommissioned Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino. Their decision has my full support.”

Julian Leeser, the Coalition arts spokesman, condemned the decision as in opposition to Australian values.

“Australia’s representation on the world stage should reflect our values,” Mr Leeser said.

“To reinstate an artist and give them taxpayer funds, after they have glorified the leaders of listed terrorist organisations, flies in the face of these values.

“This has been a deeply flawed process from the beginning and has now led to a ridiculous outcome. It diminishes the power of Australian art as a tool of soft diplomacy.

“Tony Burke has serious questions to answer about the credibility of his agency, Creative Australia, in the wake of this saga.

“Australia’s arts sector should be a powerful tool to present Australia and its values to the world.

“When the government gives a wink and a nod to decisions like this, it sends a signal that undermines our laws, weakens social cohesion and risks dividing Australians at home, while damaging our reputation abroad.”

South Australian Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young welcomed the artists’ reinstatement and called for the board to be held further accountable.

“The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s artistic team for the Venice Biennale is a win for freedom of artistic expression but it highlights just how much of a farce this whole situation has been,” Ms Hanson-Young said.

“It is clear that the leadership of Creative Australia needs a clean out in order to rebuild trust within the artistic community and the Australian public.”