Creative Australia announces award-winning multidisciplinary artist Khaled Sabsabi and esteemed curator Michael Dagostino as the artistic team to represent Australia at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
Their collaboration will bring an exhibition to the Australia Pavilion that hopes to build empathy and connection between all people.
For more than 35 years, Sabsabi's artistic process has involved working across art mediums, geographical borders and with communities in Australian and international contexts. For Sabsabi, creating and exhibiting art has been a way to bring people together in immersive and engaging experiences. Through his work, Sabsabi explores human collectiveness; and questions identity politics and ideology, inviting audiences to do the same.
Michael Dagostino was the founding director of Parramatta Artists' Studios, later Director of Campbelltown Arts Centre, and currently Director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney. Dagostino has embedded an intentional artist-driven approach to all of his curatorial and director roles, facilitating access, equity and authorship.
Reflecting on his collaboration with appointed curator Michael Dagostino, Khaled Sabsabi said:
"We acknowledge and recognise First Nations cultural and linguistic diversity that has existed on these lands for thousands of years.
Our collaboration is informed by our common lived experiences and work histories, as migrants and children of migrants. We trust in the culturally diverse voices of Western Sydney and Australia more broadly and the lessons they may offer in negotiations of global futures."
Khaled Sabsabi joins a distinguished group of 42 other Australian artists whose creative contributions have critically engaged with global audiences.
A total of six artistic teams were shortlisted in the two-stage open call process. Creative Australia wishes to acknowledge the talent of shortlisted teams, their efforts signal to the depth of Australia's artistic capacity:
- Dhopiya Yunupiŋu (1950 – 2024, artist) with Tony Albert and Sally Brand
- Hayley Millar Baker (artist) with Erin Vink
- James Nguyen (artist) with Anna Davis
- Jenna Mayilema Lee (artist) with Tina Baum
- Mel O'Callaghan (artist) with Tamsin Hong
Creative Australia continues its role as the commissioner for Australia in the category of National Participation.
Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette AM said:
"We are proud to support this extraordinary team as they prepare to showcase their vision at one of the most prestigious platforms for contemporary art. Khaled Sabsabi's work, in collaboration with curator Michael Dagostino, reflects the diversity and plurality of Australia's rich culture, and will spark meaningful conversations with audiences around the world."
Creative Australia Chair Robert Morgan said:
"Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino continue a proud tradition of showcasing Australia's exceptional artistic talent at this important global arts event. This unparalleled opportunity is only possible through the generosity of our philanthropic partners who, for decades, have enabled artists to bring their bold and compelling works to this prestigious platform."
In 2026, co-investment for Australia's participation at the Venice Biennale is led by Alexandra Dimos, Chair of the Venice Biennale Ambassadors.
Dimos (SA) is joined and supported by national and international Ambassadors Clare Deloughery (NSW), Nicole Redden (QLD), Samantha Cross and Theresia Spencer (VIC), Paul Chamberlain (WA), Eleanor Hartmann (Hong Kong) and Simon Mordant AO (International). We thank the Ambassadors for their brilliant sharing of knowledge and generous support of the 2026 exhibition.
The 2026 artistic team was selected based on the advice of a panel of independent industry advisors including national and international visual arts experts. Creative Australia thanks the industry advisors who took part in this process: Anthony Gardner, Dunja Rmandić, Elaine Chia, Mariko Smith and Wassan Al-Khudhairi.
The 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will take place from April – November 2026. In 2026, the main exhibition is being curated by Koyo Kouoh, the executive director and chief curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.
