Gertrude echoes the chorus of condemnation for Creative Australia’s decision to rescind its invitation to artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino to be the artistic team for the Australia Pavilion at the 61st Biennale di Venezia.
The Creative Australia Board's overreach in undermining an expert-led and merit-based process and the political pressures that underpin its actions will have devastating impacts on the Australian arts community and its international cultural reputation for years to come.
We extend our full support to Khaled and Michael, the shortlisted artists, curators, and panel of industry advisors - all casualties of the dismantling of rigorous, robust and expert-led selection processes.
We await the outcome of a complete and transparent review of the events that led to this disastrous failure of governance and leadership.
Please visit Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino's initiative for information on how you can support the independent presentation of Khaled Sabsabi's work in Venice.