Beyond Our Selves Once, while in Khaled Sabsabi’s studio discussing ideas and future projects, he asked me if I had heard about the concept of a “seafaring soul,” quoting Lebanese poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran and his account of the soul’s battle for equilibrium. For Gibran, this analogy of soul-as-ship sees reason as the rudder […]

Aajyna 1998 + 2022 The intangible feeling of hope and hopelessness is inexplicable. Hope can drive and inspire, while hopelessness can leave one feeling empty, devoid of belief. Hopelessness is akin to a spiritual death – the resignation that nothing holds value. As an Arab, Muslim artist living in South-West Sydney, Khaled’s practice is often […]

Dark Clouds and Super Heroes: Khaled Sabsabi Artist’s appeal to our most basic sense of humanity. Some do so by looking at the demure and mundane aspects of everyday life, some tackle the big existential questions of life and existence, and others like Khaled Sabsabi speak for the life and times of communities who have […]

Organised Confusion, 2014, is a multi-channel installation that continues Khaled Sabsabi’s investigation into systems of belief and spirituality, and their role in the construction of both our individual and collective identities. Two video channels projected onto opposing walls capture the football fan club “Red and Black Bloc,” united in their fervent support of the Western […]

Pavilion Lost Khaled Sabsabi chosen and cancelled in one week for the Australian Pavilion in Venice, 2026! How is this possible in Australia in 2025? I consider the Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi as one of the most significant artists working in Australia today. So, I read with disbelief of the decision taken by Creative Australia’s […]