From War to Art
Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, Sabsabi spent his childhood under the threat of bombs and sniper fire during the Lebanese Civil War before his family moved to Sydney in 1976 seeking safety. In Australia, they settled in Granville, where his parents ran a video and music store specializing in Arabic music, which had a significant influence on his artistic journey.
Sabsabi explained: “The music in the store became part of my identity and formed a key element of my artistic experience.”
The Impact of Gaza on His Work
Although Sabsabi was able to live in peace after migrating to Australia, his connections to the Middle East remain strong, with some of his family members of Palestinian descent, residing either in Lebanon or Australia, but not Gaza. When asked if the current situation in Gaza had impacted his work for Venice, he shared:
“We have tough skin, but we are affected. How can you not be affected when you have family, when you have friends, and when your family is intertwined with Palestinian people? We need a way forward.”
The Venice Project: An Inclusive Space for Unity
Sabsabi has kept the details of his Venice project under wraps but hinted that it would be “an inclusive place that brings people together”. He added:
“I like to use the word ‘nurturing’. If you look at the DNA of my art-making, it will likely involve multimedia.”
Sabsabi’s works often incorporate screen-based multimedia, exploring repetition as a form of meditation and connection. He began his artistic journey as a hip-hop musician in the 1970s and 80s, during a time when racism was prevalent in western Sydney.
He reflected on that period: “We believed hip-hop subculture was an opportunity to view the world through an alternative lens, where it didn’t matter what race you were.”
Collaborating with Michael Dagostino
Sabsabi’s curator for Venice will be Michael Dagostino, Director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University, who, like Sabsabi, emerged from the multicultural arts scene in western Sydney. Dagostino was previously Director of the Campbelltown Arts Centre, where he championed the diverse cultural arts of western Sydney.
With this representation, Sabsabi continues his creative journey, merging his personal experiences and artistic vision to create a space that fosters dialogue and connection across cultures.
