Australia at the Venice Biennale

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Australia at the Venice Biennale

MARCO FUSINATO

AUSTRALIAN PAVILION
59TH INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
23 APRIL - 27 NOVEMBER 2022

09/10/2026

Exploring the relationships between spirituality, visual culture and contemporary art, the third gathering program in Venice this September brought together artists, curators, writers, and scholars. Through a series of conversations and illustrated presentations, Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino were joined by Claire Dillon, Dr Francesco Piraino, and Dr Nur Shkembi OAM to share insights and diverse perspectives on Sabsabi's practice and dual presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This special program was developed by Education Partner UNSW Sydney in collaboration with Creative Australia.

Shortly after, 'the companion' was launched at the Australia Pavilion bringing together some of the contributors of the publication, drawing on deeper perspectives of the artist's practice and work. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended and supported this special moment to celebrate Khaled and Michael and both presentations for the Biennale Arte 2026🌟

For updates on when the companion is available online, join our mailing list or write to us directly at [email protected] to pre-order your copy.
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Images:
1-4. 'the companion' launch at the Australia Pavilion, 2026. Photo: Clelia Cadamuro
5-7. the gathering part III – education forum including Khaled Sabsabi, Michael Dagostino, Claire Dillon, Dr Francesco Piraino, Dr Nur Shkembi OAM at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 2026. Photo: Clelia Cadamuro

16/09/2026

Join us in Venice to attend the launch of the companion, a richly illustrated publication supporting Khaled Sabsabi’s presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

To mark the launch, a brief conversation will take place in the Australia Pavilion guided by Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino, followed by an opportunity for gathering and celebration.

Realised through Khaled Sabsabi's vision, this publication is designed by Suzanne Boccalatte and features new writing by Michael Dagostino, Claire Dillon, Kon Gouriotis OAM, Tahmina Maskinyar, Hammad Nasar, Dr Nur Shkembi OAM Dr Mikala Tai and edited by José Da Silva.

📖 the companion launch
🗓️ Wednesday 23 September, 3–4pm
📍 Australia Pavilion, Venice
🔗 Free entry, register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-companion-launch-tickets-1996768643765?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

To enter the Giardini della Biennale, you must purchase an entry ticket through the La Biennale di Venezia website, linked in bio.
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Images:
1-2. the companion publication 2026 for Khaled Sabsabi’s presentations at Biennale Arte 2026. Photo courtesy: Suzanne Boccalatte

3. Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino, Biennale Arte 2026. Photo: Andrea Rossetti

15/09/2026

Join us in Venice for the third gathering, a programming series which brings together artists, curators, writers, and scholars to explore relationships between spirituality, visual culture, and contemporary art through conversations and illustrated presentations.

Featuring Khaled Sabsabi, Michael Dagostino, Claire Dillon, Dr Francesco Piraino, Dr Nur Shkembi OAM, and Dr Clarissa Ricci. Program details can be viewed online.

🎤the gathering, education forum
🗓️Friday 18 September 2026, 11am–3pm
📍Aula Magna Silvio Trentin Ca' Dolfin, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Venice
🔗Free entry, register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gathering-tickets-1996775070989?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Developed by Education Partner UNSW Sydney in collaboration with Commissioner Creative Australia, the program is hosted by Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
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Images:
Khaled Sabsabi, Photo: Andrea Rossetti; Michael Dagostino, Photo: Andrea Rossetti; Claire Dillon, photo supplied; Dr Francesco Piraino, photo supplied; Dr Clarissa Ricci, photo supplied; Dr Nur Shkembi, photo supplied.

11/08/2026

'I think one of the biggest things that I want to take home is like the connections I get to have, like on the daily basis of just people like you talking. At first you're talking to strangers, but then when you come out of the conversation, your friends and I think it's such a beautiful kind of exchange to be able to have that every day.'

Nur Aishah Abdullah Farid Kenton is a Singapore-born Malay artist, arts worker, and educator and is part of the Cultural Mediation Program 2026, supporting engagement with Khaled Sabsabi’s 'conference of one’s self', curated by Michael Dagostino at the Australia Pavilion, 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

We partnered with The University of Queensland Art Museum to deliver the program’s cultural mediation training.

Read more on the 2026 Cultural Mediators Program online
https://creative.gov.au/venice-biennale/exhibition-mediation-program/2026-program

04/08/2026

'There's many ways that you can interact with artwork in a museum or in a gallery, but the practice of cultural mediating is really to kind of interact with visitors, for them to bring their experiences and their understanding and their background, kind of grow a conversation together.'

Gala Jane Hazell .jane.art is a Naarm/Melbourne based practicing artist, educator and arts worker and forms part of the Cultural Mediation Program 2026, supporting engagement with Khaled Sabsabi’s 'conference of one’s self', curated by Michael Dagostino at the Australia Pavilion, 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

We partnered with The University of Queensland Art Museum to deliver the program’s cultural mediation training.
Read more on the 2026 Cultural Mediators Program on our website
https://creative.gov.au/venice-biennale/exhibition-mediation-program/2026-program

16/07/2026

Meet the 2026 Biennale Delegates 💫

Eight early to mid-career visual arts practitioners have been selected from across Australia to participate in this unique professional development opportunity offered by Creative Australia.

In a collaborative format, participants will shape their own experience alongside an expansive program of talks, workshops and masterclasses, through in-person and online access to national and international art events. Congratulations to this years delegates!

🔹Madeline Brewer, QLD
🔹Stephanie Berlangieri, VIC
🔹Con Gerakaris, NSW
🔹Roni Judge, NT
🔹Zali Morgan, WA
🔹Saskia Scott, SA
🔹Zara Sully, TAS
🔹Dan Toua, ACT

🔗Read more about the program and announcement
https://brnw.ch/21x4aeS

The Biennale Delegates Program is a co-investment initiative with Create NSW, artsACT, Arts Tasmania, Arts Queensland, Create SA, Arts NT, WA Government, and Creative Victoria, and is philanthropically supported by the Cross Family Foundation.
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Images:
Madeline Brewer, Photo: Katy Bedford; Stephanie Berlangieri, Photo: Sophie Willison; Con Gerakaris, Photo: Shaun Daniel Allen; Roni Judge. Photo: The Business Photographer; Zali Morgan, Photo: Martine Perret; Saskia Scott, Photo: Thorson Photography; Zara Sully, Photo: Ben Barwick; Dan Toua, Photo: Courtesy the artist.

24/06/2026

Creative Australia is inviting expressions of interest for artistic proposals for the 62nd International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale 2028).

Read the guidelines and FAQs on our website:
https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/venice-biennale-2028-expressions-interest

Join the online information session on Wednesday 15 July, 11.30am AEST.
🔗 Register via https://creative-gov-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RSpRwOO3Q5m7CbWCShUjhA #/registration

19/06/2026

‘There cannot be a final outcome, destination or form. We are processes, circumstances, passages; as everything is flowing: nothing is ever still.’

- Khaled Sabsabi artist for Australia’s presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia.
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Image: Khaled Sabsabi, 'conference of one’s self', 2026, Australia Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia. Photo: Andrea Rossetti. Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery

10/06/2026

'Tasawwuf (Sufism) is at the centre of Khaled’s practice…The work exists within this spiritual dimension, not as doctrine but as an inquiry into the inner and outer, meaning the seen and unseen. This informs how the work operates through rhythm, sound and duration, where meaning unfolds over time rather than being fixed. The work asks us to slow down, shifting us from our everyday hectic lives to a more contemplative state.' – Michael Dagostino curator for Australia's presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia for STIR World.

Read more of the full coverage online.
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Images: Various media coverage on Khaled Sabsabi's presentations at the Biennale Arte 2026.

01/06/2026

‘The guiding principle of ‘conference of one’s self’ is the interconnectedness of the inner and outer self. The exhibition takes inspiration from the 12th-century Tasawwuf (Sufi) allegory The Conference of the Birds, by Farīd al-Dīn ʿAṭṭār which recounts an arduous pilgrimage resulting in a cathartic realisation: that the divine exists within the seekers themselves. By transforming the Pavilion into an immersive, multisensory encounter, Khaled invites visitors to reflect upon a shared human unity.’

– Michael Dagostino curator for Australia’s presentation at the 61st International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia.

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

Indirizzo

Giardini
Venice
36040

Sito Web

https://creative.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/australia-at-the-venice-biennale/

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