Khaled Sabsabi to Represent Australia at 2026 Venice Biennale

Khaled Sabsabi will represent Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale, running from 9 May to 22 November 2026. His presentation in the Giardini pavilion will include works exploring spirituality, migration, and shared humanity, drawing on Tasawwuf (Sufi) sensibilities. Sabsabi is also the first Australian artist to have work in both the Australia Pavilion and the Biennale's main exhibition, In Minor Keys, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh. His pieces reject fixed forms, embracing flux and interconnectedness. Sabsabi, who fled Lebanon as a child in the 1970s, incorporates references to Australia's multicultural and multi-faith identity. He hopes the pavilion invites transformation and collective reflection. The interview was part of ArtReview's series on national pavilions, sponsored by Versace.