Khaled Sabsabi has achieved a historic milestone as the first Australian artist to be selected for both a national pavilion and the Venice Biennale’s main international exhibition. After a tumultuous period in which his appointment to the Australia Pavilion was cancelled and then reinstated following political controversy, Sabsabi will now present his work 'conference of one’s self' in the Giardini alongside a separate contribution to the central show. Both projects are deeply rooted in Tasawwuf (Sufism) and themes of spiritual enlightenment and communal unity.
This double selection serves as a significant vindication for Sabsabi following accusations that his earlier work glorified terrorism, which briefly derailed his participation. The inclusion of his work in the main exhibition, 'In Minor Keys'—the final vision of the late curator Koyo Kouoh—signals a major moment for Australian contemporary art on the global stage. It highlights the resilience of artists facing political censorship and underscores the Biennale's commitment to diverse spiritual and cultural narratives despite institutional pressures.