Ashar Mobeen

Ashar (pronounced Usher) Mobeen is pursuing a PhD in art and visual culture at the University of Western Ontario. His research investigates the manifestation of comprehensive astronomical understanding in the art and architecture of ancient and Indigenous civilizations. By reconstructing the cosmic perspectives of these societies through their art and conjoining his findings with modern scientific understanding and worldviews, Ashar believes that he could potentially offer answers to questions that we continue to ponder as a civilization: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?

Ultimately, Ashar hopes that his research can address the need for a post-humanist perspective, counter to the mandates of anthropocentric hubris and its imprisonment within binary power dynamics. In the face of catastrophes such as climate change, rising food insecurity, and collapse of ecosystems and biodiversity, he contends it is critical to re-evaluate not only our position in the cosmos but also with respect to the very land we call home. We are the only ones that can save us from ourselves, so let us stand together, protect, and cherish our planet.

Banner image: Festival Theatre Garden, Niagara-on-the-Lake. © Mobeen Photography, 2022.

EDITORIAL TEAM

ONLINE FOUNDER
Tariq Hassan Gordon

COFOUNDERS & CURATORIAL ADVISORS
Jamelie Hassan & Ron Benner

ADVISORY CIRCLE
Samer Abdelnour, Marnie Fleming, Wyn Geleynse, Fern Helfand, S F Ho, Lorraine Klaasen, Judith Rodger, Ruth Skinner, Mary Lou and Dan Smoke, and Lucas Stenning

COORDINATING EDITORS
Tariq Hassan Gordon & Olivia Mossuto

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Blessy Augustine, Anahí González, Ira Kazi, Shelley Kopp, Ashar Mobeen & Michelle Wilson.

VIRTUAL TOUR
Andreas Buchwaldt

OUR STORY

Artists Jamelie Hassan and Ron Benner and jazz musician Eric Stach founded the Embassy Cultural House (1983-1990) located in the restaurant portion of the Embassy Hotel at 732 Dundas Street in East London. In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Embassy Cultural House was re-envisioned as a virtual artist-run space and website.

The Embassy Cultural House gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the London Arts Council through the City of London's Community Arts Investment Program.

The Embassy Cultural House is thankful for the Mentorship program established by the Visual Arts department and the continued support of the students and faculty of Arts & Humanities at Western University.

Thank you to our partners

E M B A S S Y C U L T U R A L H O U S E . C A

The Embassy Cultural House (ECH) is located in London, Ontario, Canada on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Attawandaron and Huron-Wendat peoples, at the forks of Deshkan Ziibi (Antler River), an area subject to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and other treaties. The ECH strives to create meaningful relationships between the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island and our contributors. The ECH honours the stewardship of the many Indigenous peoples who have resided on these lands since time immemorial.