South Africa: Minister Gayton McKenzie's unilateral cancellation of Gabrielle Goliath's Venice Biennale pavilion has triggered a constitutional crisis in South Africa's arts sector. The artist, unanimously selected by an independent panel, was removed after her "Elegy" series addressing Gaza was deemed "divisive." McKenzie claims sovereignty concerns and denies censorship, but critics say he violated the arm's-length principle protecting artistic freedom. Goliath has filed suit, and the sector awaits presidential intervention.
In February 2025, Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi was abruptly removed from representing Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale, igniting a firestorm of controversy within the international arts community. The decision, made by Creative Australia, followed backlash over Sabsabi’s 2007 video installation You
