The global art community is very alarmed by the indefinite postponement of the exhibition featuring artist Khalid Sabsabi by Monash University Museum of Art. It is even more concerning that it comes just after Creative Australia arbitrarily dropped him as the artist chosen to represent Australia at the next Venice Biennale without giving a chance for the artist to respond to the accusations. This confirms fears that the Creative Australia decision will have an impact on his art practice and livelihood.
The art community and all who believe in freedom of expression find this act of silencing the artist unacceptable.
We feel the artist deserves to be given equal rights to show his work freely in different forums and the State and art institutions should acknowledge the long standing practice of Khalid Sabsabi and contribution to the field.
Australia is a signatory to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This is one of seven UNESCO conventions that deal with the four core areas of creative diversity: cultural and natural heritage, movable cultural property, intangible cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.
Cultural freedom enshrined in this convention is the right to express, practice, and share one's culture without fear of censorship or persecution.
AICA is calling for Khalid Sabsabi's long-planned exhibition to be rescheduled without delay, so that justice can be done for the artist.
On behalf of AICA
Malgorzata Kazmierczak, President of AICA International
Niilofur Farrukh, Chair of the Censorship Committee