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 in Australia, Sabsabi is known for his thought-provoking works that explore identity, migration and political conflict. Now, he faces a decision that tests the boundaries between art and politics — and raises questions about the role of cultural institutions in presenting potentially polarizing works.Creative Australia: A key player under pressureCreative Australia, the national arts funding body, sits at the center of the controversy. Formerly known as the Australia Council for the Arts, it was renamed in 2023 to strengthen its role in promoting cultural diversity and supporting artistic...
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 in Australia, Sabsabi is known for his thought-provoking works that explore identity, migration and political conflict. Now, he faces a decision that tests the boundaries between art and politics — and raises questions about the role of cultural institutions in presenting potentially polarizing works.Creative Australia: A key player under pressureCreative Australia, the national arts funding body, sits at the center of the controversy. Formerly known as the Australia Council for the Arts, it was renamed in 2023 to strengthen its role in promoting cultural diversity and supporting artistic...