Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino to Represent Australia at 2026 Venice Biennale
Creative Australia has announced that Khaled Sabsabi, a versatile artist, and curator Michael Dagostino will represent Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026. Sabsabi, who left Tripoli for Australia in 1977 due to the civil war in Lebanon, explores themes of politics, identity, and the human experience in his art. He has previously participated in notable international events like the 21st Biennale of Sydney in 2018 and the 5th Marrakech Biennale in 2014. Dagostino, who directs the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, also founded the Parramatta Artists Studios. Their collaboration aims to highlight Australia's cultural diversity on a global stage, with the Biennale taking place from April to November 2026. Sabsabi's involvement was restored after an earlier cancellation.
Key facts
- Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino will represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- Sabsabi is a multidisciplinary artist born in Tripoli who migrated to Australia in 1977.
- Sabsabi's work addresses politics, identity, beliefs, and the human experience.
- Sabsabi has participated in biennials including Sydney, Adelaide, Kochi Muziris, Yinchuan, Marrakech, Shanghai, and Sharjah.
- Michael Dagostino is director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum and founding director of Parramatta Artists Studios.
- The pavilion aims to showcase Australia's cultural diversity and encourage reflection on global plurality.
- Sabsabi acknowledged First Nations cultural diversity and the importance of migrant voices.
- The 61st Venice Biennale will take place from April to November 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Khaled Sabsabi
- Michael Dagostino
Institutions
- Creative Australia
- Chau Chak Wing Museum
- University of Sydney
- Parramatta Artists Studios
- Biennale of Sydney
- Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art
- Kochi Muziris Biennale
- Yinchuan Biennale
- Marrakech Biennale
- Shanghai Biennale
- Sharjah Biennial
- La Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Australia
- Tripoli
- Lebanon
- Venice
- Sydney
- Adelaide
- Kochi
- Muziris
- Yinchuan
- Marrakech
- Shanghai
- Sharjah
- Western Sydney