Venice Biennale Row: Artists Call for Reinstatement of Sabsabi and dagostino
Table of Contents
- 1. Venice Biennale Row: Artists Call for Reinstatement of Sabsabi and dagostino
- 2. What steps could be taken to ensure that artistic freedom and independence are protected in future Creative Australia funding decisions?
- 3. Venice Biennale Row: Artists Call for Reinstatement of Sabsabi and Dagostino
- 4. Archyde: Ellie, could you start by telling us about your initial reaction to Creative Australia’s decision?
- 5. Archyde: You’ve been quiet vocal about this setback. What do you believe are the core issues here?
- 6. Archyde: How do you think this decision might impact the broader Australian art community and even international perception of Australian art?
- 7. Archyde: What advice would you give to artists and curators navigating this shifting landscape?
- 8. Archyde: Lastly, what do you hope to see from Creative Australia moving forward?
Teh 2024 venice Biennale Golden Lion winners, artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose, have expressed their profound disappointment wiht Creative Australia’s decision to withdraw their support for selected artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino for the 2026 Biennale.
Moore and Buttrose, in a joint statement, condemned Creative australia’s action as “quickly and without obvious process” and a “corruption of its core principles.” They emphasized their concern for the precedent this sets for artistic freedom, stating, “It is distressing to see that the arms-length objectivity of the Australia Pavilion’s selection process is so easily undone and that the independence of Creative Australia is so quickly compromised.”
The decision stems from recent controversy surrounding ancient artworks by Sabsabi, which received negative coverage in the Australian newspaper and were later raised by Liberal Senator Claire Chandler in Senate Question Time. Creative Australia, in their statement, justified their decision, saying, “We are an advocate for freedom of artistic expression and are 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 coudl undermine our goal of bringing Australians together through art and creativity.”
Moore and Buttrose, however, view this as a concerning setback for Australian art. They argue that the decision would have “unacceptable” and wide-reaching implications for artists, art professionals, and audiences. While they acknowledged the lack of clarity regarding the Board’s specific reasons for dismissing Sabsabi and Dagostino, they highlighted the timing coinciding with politically motivated accusations against the artist’s integrity.
The 2024 Golden Lion winners concluded their statement with a plea for Creative Australia to return to its core values:
“To regain its credibility, Creative Australia must return to its founding mandate: supporting artistic practice, advocating for freedom of expression, and promoting the understanding of the arts.”
This situation raises meaningful questions about the balance between artistic freedom, public perception, and political influence in the arts.The fallout from this decision is highly likely to be felt throughout the Australian art community and beyond.
What steps could be taken to ensure that artistic freedom and independence are protected in future Creative Australia funding decisions?
Archyde News Exclusive: A Word with Ellie Buttrose
Venice Biennale Row: Artists Call for Reinstatement of Sabsabi and Dagostino
In the wake of Creative Australia’s decision to withdraw support from artists Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino for the 2026 Venice Biennale, we sat down with acclaimed curator and 2024 Venice Biennale Golden Lion winner, Ellie Buttrose, to discuss the implications of this move on the Australian art community and beyond.
Archyde: Ellie, could you start by telling us about your initial reaction to Creative Australia’s decision?
Ellie Buttrose: I was honestly taken aback. The swiftness of the decision was shocking, especially given the rigorous, independent selection process we’ve all admired and respected. It felt like a slap in the face to our artistic community.
Archyde: You’ve been quiet vocal about this setback. What do you believe are the core issues here?
Buttrose: There are several issues at play, but the main concern is the compromise of artistic freedom and independence. this decision sets a perilous precedent where political pressure and public perception can dictate artistic choices. It’s also alarming that the Board didn’t provide clear reasons for dismissing Khaled and Michael, especially when it coincides with politically motivated accusations against Khaled’s integrity.
Archyde: How do you think this decision might impact the broader Australian art community and even international perception of Australian art?
buttrose: It’s going to have wide-ranging implications. Artists may self-censor, fearing that their work could be misunderstood or politically divisive. The international community may question our commitment to artistic freedom. Moreover, it undermines the role of Creative Australia as a supportive body for artistic practice, which is concerning for both artists and audiences.
Buttrose: Keep creating fearlessly. Remember that art’s power lies in its ability to challenge, surprise, and even divide. We must advocate for our own freedom and support each other, lest we erode the very foundation of our creative communities.
Archyde: Lastly, what do you hope to see from Creative Australia moving forward?
Buttrose: I hope they return to their founding mandate: supporting artistic practice, advocating for freedom of expression, and promoting the understanding of the arts.They must regain their credibility and trust from the artistic community. Art is not about consensus; it’s about facilitating conversation and growth. That’s what Creative australia should be fostering.
