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CONTROVERSY

When a piece about Nasrallah displeases those in power: How a Lebanese-Australian artist stirred Australia

The artist, selected to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale 2026, had their candidacy withdrawn due to a piece created in 2007 depicting the former secretary-general of Hezbollah.

When a piece about Nasrallah displeases those in power: How a Lebanese-Australian artist stirred Australia

A video by Khaled Sabsabi titled "You" (2007) features Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, highlighted by a halo of light, an image considered provocative by some in the context of heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Credit: Screenshot from the artist's website)

Australia has been at the center of a controversy where art, politics and community tensions collide. At the heart of the debate is Khaled Sabsabi, an internationally acclaimed Lebanese-Australian multidisciplinary artist. Born in Lebanon and raised...
Australia has been at the center of a controversy where art, politics and community tensions collide. At the heart of the debate is Khaled Sabsabi, an internationally acclaimed Lebanese-Australian multidisciplinary artist. Born in Lebanon and raised...