Creative Australia Reveals Khaled Sabsabi's Venice Debut

• In a major historic first for an Australian artist, Khaled Sabsabi will simultaneously present artworks in the Australia Pavilion in the Giardini and in La Biennale di Venezia's main exhibition, In Minor Keys.
• The work in the Australia Pavilion, conference of one's self, explores spirituality, migration, and the vastness of shared humanity.
• La Biennale Venezia will run from 9 May until 22 November 2026.

Creative Australia has announced the first details of Khaled Sabsabi's presentation in the Australia Pavilion for the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Michael Dagostino.

In a historic first for an Australian representative, as announced by La Biennale di Venezia, Sabsabi will also present a work in the Biennale Arte 2026's main exhibition, In Minor Keys, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh. The selection of artists for participation in the main exhibition is made through a curatorial process managed by La Biennale di Venezia.

The presentation at the Australia Pavilion will be titled conference of one's self and will be on exhibition from May 9 to November 22, 2026. The artwork explores spirituality, migration, and the vastness of shared humanity.

Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi brings over 35 years of practice engaged with experiences of spirituality, migration, displacement, and social justice. Sabsabi has worked with Dagostino on numerous projects over many years and their collaboration arises from shared migrant experiences in Western Sydney, one of Australia's most culturally diverse areas.

Artist Khaled Sabsabi said:

"conference of one's self continues my poetic inquiry into spiritual and mundane journeys amidst commonality and difference, the work is an invitation to move towards a transformation where collective emotions and experiences may meet.

"Both works are an invitation to audiences to move through the spaces at their own pace, encountering shifts in ambiance, rhythm, and perception that encourage pause, listening, and reflection. In these spaces, the possibility to come together and to contemplate our collective humanity emerges.

"Western Sydney and Venice are home to diverse communities and migrant histories shaped by resilience, existence and coexistence. These histories have anchored the broader conceptual framework of these artworks.

"After Michael and I were notified of the decision to withdraw our appointment to represent Australia at La Biennale di Venezia, I continued to produce the original Australia Pavilion work independently in Bangkok, with the support of the arts community. Before our reinstatement, Koyo Kouoh invited me to present this work in the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, In Minor Keys, as it did not yet have a home. Michael and I were later reinstated, with a second large-scale work, conference of one's self, realised for the Australia Pavilion. Although the two works will be presented in different locations, they speak to one another and emerge from the same concept.

"Michael and I would like to sincerely thank the Australian and international art sector for their continuous support throughout this journey. Through their support, I was able to create artworks that would resonate through Venice and beyond."

Australia Pavilion curator Michael Dagostino said:

"Khaled's work physically welcomes the audience in a world that rejects fixed ideologies, embracing the Tasawwuf (Sufi) sensibility that everything flows and nothing remains static. Having worked with Khaled for over 25 years, his practice has always focused on empathy and bringing people together to foster conversation and understanding. These artworks in Venice are at once monumental and meditative and continue his decades long pursuit to create unifying work, balancing poetic resonance with profound respect.

"The exhibition invites viewers to critically engage with contested histories and contemporary social realities through a lens of mysticism and optimism.

"The guiding principle of conference of one's self is the interconnectedness of the inner and outer self. The exhibition takes inspiration from the 12th-century Tasawwuf (Sufi) allegory The Conference of the Birds, by Farid al-Din Attar, which recounts an arduous pilgrimage resulting in a cathartic realisation: that the divine exists within the seekers themselves. By transforming the Pavilion into an immersive, multisensory encounter, Khaled invites visitors to reflect upon a shared human unity. The work will honour Australia's modern history as one inextricably linked to global migratory patterns. Khaled's conference of one's self will mark 72 years since Australia's first participation in La Biennale di Venezia."

Minister for the Arts, The Hon Tony Burke, MP said:

"This is another huge win for Australia. At the last La Biennale di Venezia, Archie Moore and Ellie Buttrose (curator) won the Golden Lion. This time, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino have had a significant win before they even arrive. This is the first time an Australian artist has been presenting simultaneously in the Australia Pavilion and in the main exhibition. It is a tribute to the artist and curator themselves but also another example of global recognition of Australian art."

Creative Australia Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Collette AM said:

"We are proud to present Khaled Sabsabi at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia. This presentation reaffirms Australia's position as a respected participant in the global contemporary arts scene. Sabsabi's work offers a timely and critical opportunity to showcase an optimistic vision of Australian identity on the world stage."

Global Ambassador and Advocate, Simon Mordant AO said:

"It is a great honour to serve as Global Ambassador and Advocate for Australia at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia. In La Biennale di Venezia's history of over 125 years there have only been a very few occasions where an artist has been represented in both a National Pavilion and the curated show.

"It's an honour to support Khaled Sabsabi, Michael Dagostino, the artistic team and Creative Australia in helping to raise their international profiles and strengthening Australia's cultural identity and dialogue with the world. I am proud to continue advocating for this extraordinary program and congratulate Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino."

Building on Archie Moore's Golden Lion win for best national participation in 2024 for kith and kin in the Australia Pavilion, Sabsabi's presentation positions the Australia Pavilion as a vital site for cross-cultural harmony. Additional details of the exhibition will be announced closer to the opening of La Biennale di Venezia.