Monash University Postpones Exhibition Featuring Khaled Sabsabi
The decision to delay the 'Flat Earth' exhibition follows the ongoing fallout from Creative Australia's withdrawal of Sabsabi from the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- Monash University indefinitely postponed the 'Flat Earth' exhibition, which was scheduled to open on May 8, citing the need for deeper community engagement.
- The exhibition featured works by Khaled Sabsabi, Stolon Press, and Elisa Taber, and was planned for 18 months as part of MUMA's 50th anniversary programming.
- Sabsabi's gallerist, Josh Milani, criticized the postponement, linking it to Creative Australia's earlier decision to remove Sabsabi as Australia's representative at the Venice Biennale.
- Creative Australia's withdrawal of Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino from the Biennale followed political and media scrutiny of Sabsabi's past works, leading to resignations from key Creative Australia staff and board members.
- Concerns are growing about the broader impact of these decisions on Australia's arts sector and the reputations of its cultural institutions internationally.