The Venice Biennale 2026

Journal
May 1, 2026
  • Image credit: Khaled Sabsabi, conference of one’s self, 2026, Australia Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia. Photo: Andrea Rossetti. Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery

  • Earlier this year, Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi was appointed to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Following significant public debate and media scrutiny, his appointment was briefly withdrawn by Creative Australia before being reinstated after an independent review. Ahead of the Biennale’s official opening on 9 May, Sabsabi has now shared details of the two works he will present in Venice this year.

     

    Khaled Sabsabi’s presentations at the 61st Venice Biennale explore themes of spirituality, belonging and shared human experience. Spanning both the Australia Pavilion and the Arsenale, the works continue the artist’s long-standing engagement with identity, migration and collective memory.

     

    Born in Lebanon and raised in Western Sydney after migrating to Australia as a child, Sabsabi has spent more than 35 years exploring displacement, community and cultural identity through his practice. These themes continue throughout the Venice presentations, which also speak to the multicultural and multi-faith nature of contemporary Australia.

  • Image credit: Khaled Sabsabi, conference of one’s self, 2026, Australia Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia. Photo: Andrea Rossetti. Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery
  • In the Australia Pavilion, conference of one’s self, curated by Michael Dagostino and commissioned by Creative Australia, brings together eight large-scale paintings arranged in an octagonal formation, layered with moving image and analogue sound recordings. Inspired by Farid al-Din Attar’s 12th-century Sufi text The Conference of the Birds, the installation reflects on transformation, connection and the idea of a collective journey.
     
    conference of one’s self is presented in the Australia Pavilion, while khalil appears in the international exhibition In Minor Keys at the Arsenale from 9 May to 22 November 2026.
  • Artist Khaled Sabsabi and Curator Michael Dagostino