How artist Khaled Sabsabi remains optimistic after weathering recent storms

Khaled Sabsabi remains optimistic despite recent professional turmoil. The Australian artist, who represented Australia at the prestigious Venice Biennale, recently faced a series of setbacks, being appointed, then sacked, and subsequently reinstated to exhibit at the event. Despite this rollercoaster of events, Sabsabi finds solace in his passion for coffee, particularly Lebanese coffee.

This beverage is not only a central theme in his current exhibition at Vessel Contemporary, in Fremantle, but also a key component of his artwork, "Between Suns." This major survey brings together Sabsabi's work from 1998 to 2026, including new and previously unseen pieces. Central to the exhibition is a piece called "Aajyna," a deeply personal creation that incorporates the scent of Lebanese coffee to evoke memories of Sabsabi's childhood during Lebanon's civil war and his mother's tradition of reading fortunes from coffee cups.

Sabsabi believes in the power of memory to be both a source of joy and a tool for change, and he is particularly interested in how humans can subtly alter memories. Despite the challenges he has faced, Sabsabi's optimism remains undiminished. He attributes this to the support he has received from the people at Vessel Contemporary, who believe in his work and value its significance.

This renewed confidence has restored his faith in the world, and he is eager to be recognized for his art and its potential to foster coexistence and shared futures.