{
  "id": 2625513,
  "title": "How artist Khaled Sabsabi remains optimistic after weathering recent storms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/how-artist-khaled-sabsabi-remains-optimistic-after-weathering-recent",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T18:43:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-23/khaled-sabsabi-coffee-between-suns/107054854"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The award-winning artist is shaking off the Venice Biennale with a strong cup of coffee and his new exhibition, Between Suns.",
  "key_points": [
    "Khaled Sabsabi remains optimistic despite professional turmoil.",
    "Lebanese coffee central to his exhibition, \"Between Suns\".",
    "Optimism attributed to Vessel Contemporary's support."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}