Strange that significant elements of Australia’s artistic and political elite were more vociferous in defending Bill Henson’s photos of naked children than Khaled Sabsabi’s art.
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It’s undeniable that there are many, ostensible “pro-art” voices (administrators, philantrophists, politicians) who are totally silent. Even Mordant has qualified his criticism and was unable to defend Sabsabi’s original work. It’s clearly racist. Suggesting that isn’t the case doesn’t help anyone.
Well I guess it depends whether you are talking about elite artists (basically unanimously outraged) or about the structures or institutions they are objecting to
The post was pretty specific about the elements of the artistic and political elite outraged about some examples or censorship, and quiet about others. I don’t think it’s that opaque - where is the Sydney Biennale board, for eg, which Khaled serves on?
Kind of. “Arts elites” is a pretty squishy term and gets up my nose a bit I guess. I was told I was one by David Williamson, eg, which I guess is fair up to the point where I am a renter and he owns a $12m house.
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