An artistic duo who were axed and then reinstated as Australia’s picks for one of the world’s most prestigious exhibitions have received an apology.
The head of the nation’s arts body, Wesley Enoch, said artist Khaled Sabsabi’s artwork had been mischaracterised and he apologised to him and curator Michael Dagostino.
The apology from Creative Australia’s acting chair came after it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair will once again represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, after being dropped in February.
“I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they’ve gone through in this process,” Mr Enoch told ABC radio, while noting that he had already offered an in-person apology.
“Although we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it’s come at a personal cost – not just to them but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector.
“We, as Creative Australia, need to help the whole sector learn some of these lessons going forward.”
The body initially revoked the pair’s invitation after a federal politician raised concerns over Sabsabi’s early works, one of which showed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and another that depicted the 9/11 attacks.
Creative Australia had claimed Sabsabi and Dagostino’s selection would cause a prolonged and divisive debate and that it would pose an unacceptable risk to public support for the Australian artistic community, leading to the decision that would be later decried by more than 4000 people.
Enoch on Thursday noted Sabsabi’s work had been mischaracterised and said he was an “incredibly peace-loving artist”, as shown by the way he constructs his images.
“This work is not about terrorism,” he said.
“It is not about the glorification of terrorism.
“Those who choose to mischaracterise the work aren’t being honest to the intention of the work or the practice that this artist has.”
But shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser remained unhappy with Creative Australia’s reversal, arguing that the issues raised in February remained.
“I think this is the wrong person to be sending to this prestigious art festival, as a representative of our country, and to give them taxpayer funds,” he told ABC radio.
“Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion.”
The arts funding and advisory body backpedalled on its earlier decision to axe the pair after an independent review found various missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities in the decision-making process.
Enoch said Creative Australia believed reinstatement was the best option and would take into account the report’s recommendations.
“The rigour in which we undertook this was not easy,” he said.
“It takes a very big heart to go, ‘we will engage in the process with integrity and thoughtfulness and move forward’, and that’s what we’ve done.”
The creative duo said the latest decision had renewed their confidence in Creative Australia and “allows us to move forward with optimism and hope after a period of significant personal and collective hardship”.
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