Anamika hand-stitched Australian pavilion

Western Sydney artist Anamika spent five months hand-stitching traditional motifs for Khaled Sabsabi’s installation at the Australia Pavilion in Venice, according to Indian Link, which reported the collaboration on May 21. The work forms part of Sabsabi’s exhibition, *conference of one’s self*, at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Arts & Cultural Exchange, or ACE, said Anamika and fellow embroiderer Shabnam Mukhi were contracted through its Multicultural Women’s Hub to work on the project. Creative Australia says the Venice Biennale runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026. ### Who is Anamika, and what exactly did she make? Indian Link identified Anamika as an Indian-born artist based in Western Sydney who contributed embroidered elements to Sabsabi’s pavilion installation. The publication said she and Mukhi hand-appliquéd intricate motifs onto four curtains designed by Sabsabi. ACE said in a May 15 post that the two women, both from its Multicultural Women’s Hub, were supported by Creative Australia to embroider the four curtains. Indian Link reported that Anamika drew on motifs linked to Bihar, the Indian state where her heritage lies. Anamika told Indian Link the work was “not just embroidery for me” but an expression of “love, respect, and pride” in the traditional skill and craftsmanship. The article described the contribution as months of detailed handwork carried out in Western Sydney before the pavilion opened in Venice. ### How does the embroidery fit into Khaled Sabsabi’s pavilion installation? Creative Australia said Sabsabi’s Australia Pavilion project is titled *conference of one’s self* and is an immersive, multisensory installation. The agency said the work explores spirituality, migration and “shared humanity.” A May 6 project announcement said Sabsabi transformed the Australia Pavilion into a contemplative environment and that the installation draws on more than 35 years of artistic practice. Indian Link and ACE both said the embroidered curtains were designed by Sabsabi and integrated into that presentation. Michael Dagostino is the curator of the Australia Pavilion presentation, according to Creative Australia. The agency said Sabsabi is also presenting a separate work, *khalil*, in the Biennale’s main exhibition, *In Minor Keys*. ### Why is this pavilion drawing added attention? Khaled Sabsabi’s Venice presentation comes after a public dispute over Australia’s representation at the Biennale earlier this year. ABC reported in February that Sabsabi had been dropped and later proceeded with plans for the work after what the broadcaster described as a backlash over the decision. The Art Newspaper and ArtsHub both reported that Sabsabi was reinstated after an external review and would go on to present work in both the Australia Pavilion and the Biennale’s main exhibition. Creative Australia now lists him as the artist representing Australia at the 2026 edition. SBS described Sabsabi this month as Australia’s representative at the 61st Venice Biennale and said the pavilion project is his most ambitious work to date. That attention has also extended to the artisans involved in producing the installation’s physical elements. ### What do the official organizers say about the exhibition dates and setting? Creative Australia said the Australia Pavilion exhibition opened with the Biennale this month and remains on view through November 22, 2026. La Biennale di Venezia lists Sabsabi among the artists in the 2026 event and says the main exhibition runs across Venice through the same closing date. The Scotsman reported that the 61st Venice Biennale includes 99 national pavilions alongside the central exhibition. DailyArt Magazine listed Australia among 10 pavilions to watch at the 2026 edition. ACE said its collaboration with Sabsabi was developed in Western Sydney and realized on an international stage in Venice. The organization said project director Mikala Tai approached ACE executive director Anne Loxley about contracting members of the hub for the work. ### What happens next for Anamika’s contribution? The four embroidered curtains made by Anamika and Shabnam Mukhi remain part of Sabsabi’s *conference of one’s self* at the Australia Pavilion in Venice, according to ACE and Creative Australia. The Biennale is scheduled to continue until November 22, 2026, with Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino presenting the Australian exhibition for the duration.