‘A clear sign that truth still matters’: Sacked artist welcomes university decision

Monash University has reversed its decision to indefinitely “postpone” a show by Khaled Sabsabi at its gallery, Monash Museum of Art (MUMA) in Caulfield, giving the artist hope that he may also be reinstated as an entrant for the Venice Biennale.

Lebanese-born, Western Sydney-based Sabsabi has been at the centre of a major fracas in the art world this year. He was announced as Australia’s representative to the prestigious Biennale in February, with curator Michael Dagostino. Six days later, the Creative Australia board revoked the invitation in an unprecedented decision just hours after questions were raised in parliament about Sabsabi’s back catalogue.

Then, in March, Monash University cancelled a show featuring Sabsabi, called Stolon Press: Flat Earth.

On Thursday, the university announced the show has been rescheduled and will open on May 29.

A Monash University spokesperson said in a statement that the exhibition would open late this month “following a period of community consultation”.

“The university concluded its engagement process with relevant staff and students, which has enabled us to consider a range of perspectives prior to the exhibition,” it continued.

“The university recognises the work of Stolon Press as curator of, and featured artist in, the exhibition Flat Earth and its patience while the university conducted its consultations to ensure the exhibition proceeds in the manner and spirit originally curated by Stolon Press.”

Sabsabi has welcomed the decision, saying in a statement he hopes it lays the groundwork for his reinstatement to the Venice Biennale.

“This is a deeply personal moment for me,” he said. “I’m relieved that common sense has prevailed and we can move forward with the Flat Earth curatorial vision and exhibition at MUMA. It’s a clear sign that truth still matters.

“This is also about more than one artist or one show, it’s about how we as an industry respond to challenges, stand by each other, and uphold the integrity of artistic expression.”

Sabsabi added: “This outcome was not achieved in isolation; it was the result of a shared determination to protect freedom of expression and support artists at a time when it matters most.”

He also refuted the insinuations that arose from Creative Australia’s decision to sack him.

“Let me be absolutely clear: I reject all forms of racism and hate. My practice is built on existence/coexistence, respect, and the urgent need to connect across cultural and political divides,” he said. “This [MUMA] decision affirms that my work is understood in that spirit.”

He thanked and acknowledged the commitment of Stolon Press, the participating artists in Flat Earth, and the team at MUMA. “This moment is a reminder that our institutions are stronger when they hold space with artists and curators for complexity and conversations,” Sabsabi said.

“This is now an opportunity for Creative Australia to revisit its decision regarding Venice 2026. Michael and I remain committed to representing Australia on the world stage with integrity and purpose.”

The findings of Creative Australia’s independent review into the Venice selection process are to be released next month.

“As our CEO has stated previously, the decision of the Board was not a reflection on the artistic team recommended for Venice,” the agency’s spokesperson said.

“The board has committed to an external review of the entire 2026 Venice selection process that will examine the events leading up to, and including, the Board’s decision.

“We will wait for the review’s findings before providing further commentary on this matter.”

Director of Monash University Museum of Art Dr Rebecca Coates also welcomed the decision, saying “to share ideas and discuss [them] is what we do as an art museum”.

“So to be able to put this exhibition on and work with artists who we believe have vital things to say is heartening and exciting and reinforces our role within society, and the importance of arts and culture.”

“My role is to advocate for the artists and the art; it’s often complex, it’s open to multiple interpretations. We’ve seen that very recently. Works can be contextualised, and taken out of context,” she says. “Our role is to create the space for respectful conversation, divergent perspectives, and shared understanding.”

Flat Earth is the inaugural exhibition by Sydney-based publisher Stolon Press, created with MUMA’s Coates and Stephanie Berlangieri; Stolon Press was created by writer Tom Melick and artist Simryn Gill in 2019. Part of MUMA’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the show will run until July 12.

The Venice decision was prompted by two of the artist’s works, one featuring footage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and another featuring the former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated last year.

“Creative Australia is an advocate for freedom of artistic expression and is not an adjudicator on the interpretation of art,” the board wrote in a statement. “However, the board believes a prolonged and divisive debate about the 2026 selection outcome poses an unacceptable risk to public support for Australia’s artistic community...”

That flew in the face of what the Sabsabi had proposed for Venice, he said, as well as his overarching philosophy. “The [proposed Biennale] work is about bringing all people of faith, ethnicity, gender together to reflect and contemplate these troubled times we live in,” Sabsabi said.

He and D’Agostino have mounted a crowdfunding campaign to help them get to Venice, but hope this latest move by Monash University indicates that change is possible and there is room for Creative Australia to reconsider its decision.

Speaking to this masthead last month, Sabsabi said the cancellation had been a fundamental misunderstanding that two of his historical works celebrated terrorism, which he called a “ridiculous” accusation when both critiqued war and media representations of ideology.

“Anyone who knows me or my work understands what I stand for,” he said when asked if he had ever promoted terrorism through his work.

“I do not stand for terrorism, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, or any form of hate.

“I believe every race, ethnicity, faith, gender has the right to exist and co-exist. I’m an artist, not a politician, and my work for over 35 years is about finding ways to converse through complexity. That accusation is ridiculous.”