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

Sydney Morning Herald

22-05-2025

'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.'
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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 an independent review into the Venice selection process are to be released next month.
Flat Earth is the inaugural exhibition by Sydney-based publisher Stolon Press, created with MUMA's Dr Rebecca Coates and Stephanie Berlangieri. It is part of MUMA's 50th anniversary celebrations and will run until July 12. Stolon Press was created by writer Tom Melick and artist Simryn Gill in 2019.
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.'