7am A phone call from Tony Burke and the sacking of Venice Biennale artist Khaled Sabsabi
Feb 26, 2025
In a thought-provoking discussion, Karen Barlow, the Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper, analyzes the controversy surrounding Khaled Sabsabi's abrupt removal as Australia's representative at the Venice Biennale. They explore the implication of political influence on artistic decisions and the ensuing crisis within Creative Australia. Barlow highlights Sabsabi’s contributions to addressing complex themes like migration and Arab culture, and the broader concerns about censorship and artistic freedom facing Australia’s arts community.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Senate Question Time Controversy
- Senator Claire Chandler questioned the appointment of Khaled Sabsabi at the Venice Biennale.
- Her concerns stemmed from Sabsabi's artwork featuring Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.
Artist's Background and Controversial Works
- Khaled Sabsabi, the appointed artist, is known for his work exploring Arab culture, dislocation, and migration.
- Two of his pieces caused controversy: one featuring Nasrallah and another using 9/11 imagery with George W. Bush.
Swift Reversal of Appointment
- Following the Senate question, the Arts Minister, Tony Burke, called Creative Australia's head, Adrian Collette.
- Within hours, the board met and unanimously rescinded Sabsabi's appointment.