Artist Lindy Lee quits Creative Australia amid calls for inquiry into Venice Biennale decision

Artist Lindy Lee quits Creative Australia amid calls for inquiry into Venice Biennale decision

The federal arts body rescinded artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino's invitation to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale last week, after a Liberal senator questioned the decision in parliament.

TNA Statement on the Withdrawal of Australia’s 2026 Venice Biennale Representatives - Theatre Network Australia

The Board and Staff of Theatre Network Australia are alarmed by Creative Australia’s decision to rescind Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino as the Artistic Team representing Australia at the Venice Biennale 2026. Creative Australia must fulfill its stated mission through its establishing legislation, the Creative Australia Act 2023, ‘to uphold and promote freedom of expression in the arts and to support Australian arts practice that reflects t…