EMBASSY CULTURAL HOUSE
Established in 1983, the Embassy Cultural House was a community-driven gallery and hosted interdisciplinary programs. It closed its physical doors in 1990. In 2020 the Embassy Cultural House was re-envisioned as a virtual artist-run space and community website.
CURRENT PROJECTS
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Sleepwalking with Bob Black, Wu'er Kaixi, Yam Lau and Scott Savitt
November 20, 2021 at 7:00pm The Embassy Cultural House (ECH) and the Words Festival are pleased to present an evening with the guests of Sleepwalking, an event series hosted by ECH in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong. Visit the official Wordsfest event here: wordsfest.ca/events/2021/sleepwalking-bob-black-wuer-kaixi-yam-lau-and-scott-savitt |
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Shani Mootoo: In Conversation with Richard Fung
November 25, 2021 at 7:00pm In partnership with the Embassy Cultural House, the Words Festival is pleased to welcome acclaimed author Shani Mootoo, who will join artist Richard Fung to talk about her work and recent novel Polar Vortex. Visit the official Wordsfest event here: wordsfest.ca/events/2021/shani-mootoo-in-conversation-with-richard-fung |
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Queer Cinema for Palestine has launched!
Presented by Embassy Cultural House in co-operation with Toronto Queer Cinema, Dar Jacir; grunt gallery; Queer Caucus at Western University, London Ontario; Woodland Cultural Centre. Special thanks to Toronto Palestinian Film Festival, Jon Petrychyn, John Greyson, and ECH contributors, Salah D. Hassan, Iraboty Kazi, Ashar Mobeen and Turing Xu. In this powerful screening and panel, filmmakers Indigenous to Turtle Island and filmmakers from Palestine share how they negotiate complex and intersecting relationships to land, home, queerness, labour, art-making, and representation. Curated by SF Ho, a member of ECH's advisory circle, this program features a land acknowledgement presented by Layla Black and a panel with filmmakers Qais Assali, Justin Ducharme, Whess Harman, and Rana Nazzal, moderated by Wanda Nanibush. WATCH NOW: https://torontoqueerfilmfest.com/qcp/london-ontario/ |
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To Dissent exhibition now open until November 21, 2021:
Embassy Cultural House at Support Project Space Dissent can be (and has been) expressed in the form of unlawful gatherings, attendance of banned vigils, smuggling of illicit literature, overt acts of sedition and encouraging subversion amongst youth. Dissent can be (and has been) expressed through the fight for political and cultural sovereignty, gathering and mourning for lives lost, selling books, exercising freedom of speech and the intentioned fight for democracy. Curated by ECH assistant co-ordinating editor, Olivia Mossuto, this exhibition includes works by Bob Black, Chun Hua Catherine Dong, Jamelie Hassan, Yam Lau, Petrina Ng, and two important, anonymous artists/organizers. The exhibition is open by-appointment only from November 8 to November 21, 2021. An in-person event will take place on November 17 from 3-6 PM with a live performance by Frank Ridsdale. For more information, please contact embassyculturalhouse@gmail.com |
Visit the Hiding in Plain Sight Virtual Tour
ONGOING DIGITAL PROJECTS @ ECH
ONLINE TEXTS
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Embassy Cultural House catalogue now online It is with great pleasure that we are sharing an online version of the now out-of-print The Embassy Cultural House, 1983 to 1990 catalogue. This catalogue was published in 2012 to accompany the survey exhibit "The Embassy Cultural House, 1983 to 1990" presented at Museum London. The late Robert (Bob) McKaskell curated the survey exhibit and the catalogue was edited by the late Melanie Townsend. The catalogue also includes essays by historical curator Michael Baker and Toronto-based artist, educator and activist Rebecca Deiderichs. The Museum London public program included a sold-out concert of an improvisational jazz performance by Eric Stach and local musicians. With special thanks to Museum London, the estates of both Bob McKaskell and Melanie Townsend, to all the contributors and supporters of the catalogue and Colour by Schubert for making this publication available online to a broader public. Click here to read the catalogue online |
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In memory of curator & writer Bob McKaskell 1943-2020
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In Memory of Bob McKaskell It is with the sad news, that our good friend, independent curator and writer, Bob McKaskell died on June 30, 2020 from cancer. He was living between Port Dover, Ontario and Oaxaca, Mexico. While in Oaxaca he decided to study Spanish and he had just initiated a program of curating exhibits of Oaxacan artists in his apartment located in the centro historico of Oaxaca. He was a great cook, an excellent gardener and his pursuit of knowledge was startling wide-reaching. Anyone who knew Bob, understood that his sometimes stubborn nature contributed to his ability to intensely focus in a very particular and detailed way to whatever subjects grabbed his interest. Bob taught Contemporary Art History for many years at Western University. He was a huge supporter of both Canadian and international artists and had a commitment to challenging art practices including conceptual art, performance works and independent artists' projects. While in London, he was involved in programming at The Embassy Cultural House, the Forest City Gallery, Museum London and the McIntosh Gallery. He also worked at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and and the Glenbow Museum in Calgary where he built strong friendships and made contributions to the arts community across Canada. We have so many fond memories of Bob - especially close to our hearts is the survey exhibition he curated Embassy Cultural House - 1983 - 1990 at Museum London in 2012. |
