Khaled Sabsabi, the artist representing Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), will exhibit works both in the Australia Pavilion in the Giardini and in the main Biennale exhibition titled "In Minor Keys." His pieces explore spirituality, migration, and shared humanity through Tasawwuf (Sufi) sensibilities, emphasizing flux and collective experience. Sabsabi is the first Australian artist to have work in both the national pavilion and the main exhibition in the same year, and he honors the curatorial vision of the late Koyo Kouoh.
This interview matters because it highlights the role of national pavilions amid rising confrontational nationalisms, with Sabsabi positioning his pavilion as an invitation to transformation and collective emotional meeting. It also underscores the Venice Biennale's enduring importance as a platform for diverse conversations and shared enlightenment, while showcasing Australia's artistic identity through a lens of inclusivity and spiritual inquiry.