A series of works by Khaled Sabsabi screen at West Space, Monday 16 to Saturday 28 June 2025. We kill You (2016) is screened alongside three scratch video works not previously presented in Naarm/Melbourne; A Selfie (2006), Try (2004) and south@lebanon (2003).
“I believe that art can be a champion for the co-existence and respect of all possible differences. My work provides a potent reflection of this possibility during these times of large-scale and culturally motivated violence.” — Khaled Sabsabi
Khaled Sabsabi moved from Tripoli to Western Sydney following the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon. Since the late 1980s, Sabsabi has worked with communities, particularly those in Western Sydney, to create and develop arts programs and projects that explore the complexities of place, displacement, identity and ideological differences associated with migrant experiences and marginalisation.
A Selfie (2006), Try (2004) and south@lebanon (2003) reflect and engage with ideas that consider the way in which society interacts with notions of conflict, contested histories and the role the individual plays within this gambit. As we become bombarded with increasingly filtered images relating to these themes, a sense of normalisation and complacency occurs, where emotions are blunted through the spectacle of propaganda determining image conditioning of such acceptable behaviours and practices.
We kill You (2016) poetically engages with sensitive issues connected to contested geographies, histories, ideological movements and realities. It was inspired by a 1972 poem of the same title written by the revered Syrian poet Nizār Qabbānī. We kill You highlights factual contradictions and the effect these have had throughout the world. It addresses conflict and the rise of extremism and terrorism by expressively engaging with themes relating to nationalism, Islam, colonialism and political circumstances.
West Space is screening Khaled Sabsabi’s works as an extension of the moving image and discussion series, Everything You Can Dream of is True, bringing together over 20 First Nations, global Indigenous and Diaspora artists interrogating the status quo and proposing new ways of engaging with complex histories, politicised identities and futurisms.
Participating artists: Hoda Afshar, Akil Ahamat, Tarik Ahlip, Maissa Alameddine, Paola Balla, Travis De Vries, Jagath Dheerasekara, Kuba Dorabialski, Dictaphone Group (Tania El Khoury, Abir Saksouk, Petra Serhal), Lux Eterna, Riana Head-Toussaint, Roberta Joy Rich, Gillian Kayrooz, Eugenia Lim, Jumana Manna, Hayley Millar Baker, Sancintya Mohini Simpson, Jazz Money, James Nguyen, Katy B Plummer, Khaled Sabsabi, Larissa Sansour, Feras Shaheen, Subash Thebe Limbu.
ABOUT WEST SPACE
West Space is an independent contemporary art space that exists to support the next generation of artists in Australia. Housed in multi-arts precinct Collingwood Yards, Naarm/Melbourne, West Space’s year-round program reflects the breadth of artistic practice in Australia, and the complexities of our times.
KEY DATES
Khaled Sabsabi Monday 16 June - Saturday 28 June 2025
Everything You Can Dream of is True Saturday 14, Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 June 2025
For more info, head to westspace.org.au.
