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Khaled Sabsabi to Show in Both Australia Pavilion and Main Venice Biennale Exhibition

The 2026 edition advances Koyo Kouoh’s posthumous vision through a 111-artist roster.

Overview

  • La Biennale and Kouoh’s curatorial team named 111 participants for In Minor Keys, which runs May 9 to November 22.
  • Sabsabi’s dual participation spans the Australia Pavilion and the main exhibition, a crossover Creative Australia described as a first for an Australian artist.
  • His pavilion installation, titled conference of one’s self, draws on Sufi teachings and The Conference of the Birds, while details of his main-show work remain under wraps.
  • Sabsabi’s path to Venice included a February 2025 appointment, a cancellation days later after political scrutiny of earlier works, and reinstatement in July 2025 following a governance review and apology.
  • Kouoh’s appointed advisers are implementing motifs such as Shrines, Procession/Invocation and Schools, with planned live programming including a poets’ procession, and organizers said Golden Lion awards will not be presented this year.