How Creative Australia's perplexing backflip on Khaled Sabsabi defines our current moment of turmoil
ABCArtists and politicians never work well together for long. Industry resignations and anger have followed the shock decision by Creative Australia to drop artist Khaled Sabsabi from one of the world's most prestigious cultural events. We've seen it demonstrated, in a shock and awe spectacle, over the past week, as creative independence met political imperative over the board table at the nation's premier arts funding body, Creative Australia. Arts Minister Tony Burke, as soon as he left Question Time in the other chamber, called Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette to ask about the work of Sabsabi's that had been raised in the Senate. By 10pm, Sabsabi was Biennale history, removed by a unanimous vote of Creative Australia board members, one of whom — artist Lindy Lee — has since resigned.
History of this topic
Dumped artist Khaled Sabsabi speaks out about impact of Creative Australia's Venice Biennale decision
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Monash University indefinitely postpones MUMA exhibition featuring Khaled Sabsabi's work
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The politics of the Creative Australia controversy reveal a trend that ultimately weakens institutions
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The Senate lays bare how Khaled Sabsabi was dumped by Creative Australia
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Minister for Arts Tony Burke says he was 'not briefed' on Australia's Venice Biennale controversy
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Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi pulled from global exhibit
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