In this bonus episode of the Installation Art podcast, curator and art consultant Carrie Scott joins me to delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Venice Biennale Australian Pavilion. Together we discuss:• How artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were appointed to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale and then abruptly cancelled• The procedural, political, and social dimensions of the decision made by Creative Australia, its impact on the local and international art scene, and what it means for artistic freedom• How the Australian arts community is responding to the shock decision• Carrie shares her personal experiences and insights, offering a poignant perspective on the value of art that challenges and provokes.We also touch on recent tragic news that affects the Biennale more broadly and raises questions about who has the authority to decide what kind of art is “acceptable” or what art is about.05:02 The Australian Pavilion Controversy: An Overview06:51 Selection Process for the Australian Pavilion10:46 Creative Australia's Decision and Backlash12:10 Senate Hearing and Further Repercussions17:36 Personal Reflections on the Controversy38:40 National Pavilions and Curator's Theme39:09 Tragic Passing of Koyo Kouoh42:38 Journalist's Role and Agenda45:16 Art and Political Sensitivities48:14 Personal Reflections on 9/1153:16 Curatorial Challenges and Responses58:59 Speculations and Broader ImplicationsCarrie Scott is a curator and art consultant based in London: https://www.carrie-scott.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/carriescottcurates/ 
SEEN is a next-generation art consultancy, shining a light on the opaque world of galleries, auction houses and dealers: https://www.seen.art/ | https://www.instagram.com/watchseenart/ | @watchseenart Got comments? Share your thoughts: SpeakPipe.com/InstallationArtPodcastOr DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/ If you want to help the Sabsabi-Dagostino project in Venice, go to this website: https://khaledsabsabi.com/support-the-venice-biennale-2026-exhibition-by-khaled-sabsabi-curated-by-michael-dagostino/ Or purchase a unique artwork by Sabsabi to help raise funds: https://unvanishedsabsabi.myshopify.com/ Khaled Sabsabi speaks: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-art-show/khaled-sabsabi-speaks/105050484 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2025/apr/01/exclusive-khaled-sabsabi-speaks-on-the-damage-of-being-dumped-from-the-venice-biennale-full-story-podcast Also mentioned in this episode:Khaled Sabsabi: https://khaledsabsabi.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/peacefender/ Michael Dagostino: https://www.sydney.edu.au/museum/about-us/our-people.html&#160;Creative Australia: https://creative.gov.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/creative.australia/&#160;Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannelAdrian Collette: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-collette-31a192ba/?originalSubdomain=au" rel="noopener noreferrer"...