Khaled Sabsabi, a prize winning artist who specialises in multi media and site specific installations has been awarded the inaugural Western Sydney Arts Fellowship.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant came to the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre earlier today to reveal Sabsabi was the first recipient of the $50,000 State Government fellowship.
The artist himself didn’t have to travel far because he works at the Casula Powerhouse.
Mr Sabsabi, of Bonnyrigg, has led efforts to develop Western Sydney’s arts and cultural sector through initiating local projects and mentoring artists.
The $50,000 fellowship will enable Mr Sabsabi to create five new pieces of art, catalogue his entire works and publish a digital artist’s monograph.
Sabsabi, who works as the Community and Cultural Engagement Officer at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, is a socially engaged artist whose work reflects his Western Sydney and migrant experiences.
Born in 1965 in Tripoli, Lebanon, Khaled migrated with his family to Australia in 1978 due to civil war.
He grew up in Auburn and began his creative life in the late 1980s as a hip-hop performer and community cultural development practitioner.
For 28 years, Khaled has worked in mainstream arts and state institutions in the Western Sydney and broader national and international context.
His awards include the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship (2010), 60th Blake Prize (2011), MCG Basil Sellers Fellowship (2014) and Fisher’s Ghost Prize (2014). He has participated and presented in more than 50 solo and group exhibitions in Australia and overseas.
He has also participated in the 5th Marrakech Biennale (2014), Sharjah Biennial 11 (2013), 18th Biennale of Sydney (2012) and 9th Shanghai Biennale (2012).
Mr Grant said the creation of the new fellowship complements a range of government initiatives to grow Western Sydney’s art community.
“Having lived and worked as a leading artist in Western Sydney for the past 28 years, Khaled Sabsabi is a highly accomplished and worthy recipient of this inaugural fellowship,” Mr Grant said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The NSW Government is proud to support talented and committed local artists as part of our renewed focus to grow Western Sydney’s thriving arts and cultural sector.”[/social_quote]
The annual fellowship allows a Western Sydney based artist or arts worker to engage in a self directed program of professional development with activities such as mentorships, research and short courses and is open to practitioners in all art forms.
The NSW Liberal and National coalition Government has committed $30 million over the next four years to grow Western Sydney’s arts and cultural sector, including relocating the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta and $7.5 million funding boost in local arts organisations.
Investing in arts and cultural opportunities in Western Sydney and regional NSW is a key part of the government’s new Create in NSW 10 year policy framework.
A very very worthy recipient!