Embassy Cultural House
732 Dundas Street London, ON, Canada

Next up we’re pleased to introduce Diana Tamblyn’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: Diana Tamblyn, "Like That Human?", 2020, ink on paper Diana’s Artist Statement: I’m a cartoonist, and one of my favourite comic books is called Magnus, Robot Fighter, a Gold Key comic written and drawn by Russ Manning that was published in the 1960s. The series takes place in 4000 AD in North Am - a booming megacity that encompasses all of North America. In the comic, human beings and ha...ve become dependant on robots and the police chief (who is a robot), is trying to impose totalitarian rule on society. The hero - Magnus was an orphan raised a robot who could think and feel, and who believed that robots and humans could live together in harmony. Magnus seeks to ensure that robots do not dominate humans (hence he is a robot fighter), but he also seeks to ensure that humans do not hold dominion over robots. I enjoy drawing Magnus smashing robots as warm-up drawings before I start into my regular work. These are fun drawings to loosen up the muscles and the mind. However in this drawing process, I couldn’t help but think of today’s society - particularly in the pandemic and the role that automation and technology play in transforming entire industries and workforces. Thousands have been displaced from good union-paying jobs with benefits to precarious hourly employment in poor working conditions. Also the large tech businesses that benefit from automation are making huge profits and aren’t paying their fair share in taxes. Amazon is a prime example here, thus you see the AWS logo on the robot who is slapping Magnus (which stands for Amazon Web Services). The comic was science fiction, but are we moving towards a Magnus future? Diana Tamblyn is an award-winning artist and graphic novelist. She has exhibited her comics at small press fairs and comic book festivals in both Canada and the US and in various group and solo shows. In 2005, she was chosen by the Globe and Mail as a Canadian cartoonist to watch. She is the recipient of a Canada Council Grant, a London Arts Council Grant, and is the founder of the Ting Comic and Graphic Arts Festival in London, Ontario.

Next up we’re pleased to introduce Jean Spence’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: Jean Spence, "Posada Remembered", circa 1990, watercolour on paper & thread Jean’s Artist Statement: While attending a summer educational term in Mexico in 1965, I became aware of the importance of skeleton imagery as referenced through Mexican culture, religion and art. Most notable are the political caricatures expressed through engravings by José Guadalupe Posada. Stripped of the flesh, the... dark skeletal humour was more potent and revealing. In the context of this exhibit he deserves mention. He was a forceful critic of the political establishment and actively involved in the period leading to the revolution. He continued as a force to his death...and to this day. Jean Spence has been a vital part of the London art scene since arriving here in the 1970s from her native Chicago. Spence was an early supporter of artist-run centres, joined the collective of the Embassy Cultural House in 1986 and participated in organizing exhibitions and programs, including The Body & Society and International Women's Day exhibitions. Over the past four decades, she has contributed to fund-raising projects for many local initiatives addressing issues of social justice and presenting her work in community spaces, including the Cross-Cultural Learner Centre which addresses immigrant, minority rights and refugee issues. Spence has participated in exhibitions in the USA and Mexico.

Next up, we are pleased to introduce Jamelie Hassan’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: "A TRANSNATIONAL CRIME SYNDICATE MASQUERADING AS A GOVERNMENT", Jamelie Hassan, "From the Library", 2020, digital photograph Jamelie’s Artist Statement: My books and research - on the Middle East, North Africa and Lebanon in particular have been a significant part of my work. The authors highlighted in the photo on our library shelf address a number of historical, political, social and cu...ltural issues. Over the decades, the people of Lebanon have struggled against the corrupt and criminal elements that govern and undermine whatever reforms could be a benefit to all. Suffering from decades of war, invasions, economic collapse and the pandemic of COVID-19, the most recent traumatic event of the massive Beirut blast on August 4, 2020 at the city's port has added to the turmoil. Lebanon is a devastating example of "a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government." Thanks to Siba Mulhem for the translation of Sarah Kendzior’s iconic statement into Arabic. Jamelie Hassan is a visual artist and activist based in London, Ontario. Since the 1970's, she has exhibited widely in Canada and internationally. She is also active as a lecturer, writer and independent curator and has travelled extensively. In 2001 she received a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in recognition of her artistic achievement. Her activism, curatorial work and contributions to the artist-run centre movement in Canada were also mentioned by the jury in their statement. Jamelie was one of the founders of the Embassy Cultural House.

Next up, we are pleased to introduce Freda Guttman’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: Freda Guttman, "Disappearance IV", 2017, embossment on black Arches paper Freda’s Artist Statement: I chose the device of embossment to speak about the political act of disappearing people, something that many fascist governments have done and still do. I was inspired by an essay by J.B. Brager called "Bodies of Water". Just as the bodies of Chileans dropped from airplanes during the Pinoc...het regime wash ashore, just as the 43 Mexican students and their disappearance continues to haunt us, these crimes of disappearance continue to haunt both perpetrators and victims. They are in plain vue. Freda Guttman is a native of Montreal and she has worked as a printmaker, photographer and laterally, as an installation artist. In more than forty years of active research and practice, her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Canada, the United States and internationally. Freda participated in two Embassy Cultural House exhibitions: International Women's Day Exhibition March 3 - March 21, 1984; and the Silent Auction: A Benefit Exhibition, May 11 - June 3, 1989.

Next up we’re pleased to introduce Roland Schubert’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: Roland Schubert, "Smokin'", 2015, digital photo Roland’s Artist Statement: My image pays homage to the people and buildings of the unloved downtown areas in many Canadian cities. Invisible and feared they are people and buildings Hiding in Plain Sight." ... Since 1982, Roland Schubert and his wife, Myra, have owned and operated Colour by Schubert, which has grown to become London, Ontario's premier custom photo lab. Roland Schubert studied photography and photo printing at Fanshawe College and worked in the professional photo industry as a photographer and custom printer for 10 years before launching the business. A significant feature of Roland's work is with archival paper and archival inks - creating high quality art prints for artists. His professional photography has been featured in photo journals and online media. Colour by Schubert is one of the Embassy Cultural House's community supporters and partners.

We are pleased to present Michelle Gay’s work for Hiding in Plain Sight: Biosphere, 2017, Plastic, garden sticks, and blue felt Michelle’s Artist Statement: Huts for Future Living grows directly from my experience as an urban planning activist with the local community group Active18 in Toronto’s West Queen West precinct. I spent a decade thinking about: urban planning, city design, communities, participatory design methods of engaging people in wicked problems, artists’ r...oles in community engagement. Community members worked together to shape this contested neighbourhood. As practicing artist, this research project is a result of years of complex discussions, readings and thinking about these larger issues turning to making art objects, digital artefacts to continue to ponder these wicked problems. These new works focus on urban environment, urban planning and speculate on infrastructures or structures for future living. Excess packaging, trash and found materials are collected then transformed into low-fidelity assemblages and models. These speculative structures are meant to become a method of critical making & thinking around the impact of human-choices on our collective futures and a mediation towards our built environments and city infrastructures. The forms play with new infrastructures - sleds for clouds, a movable beehive, a fishing system, biosphere-maker, water filtration systems, rolling forest, etc. The original project arc was to simply craft these low-tech, low fidelity models and digitize them. Once digitized, the models, made from found materials, would be recycled. The concept being that the new digital ‘artefacts’ would stand in for the physical models. At this writing I have tried a few modes of documenting these sculptures (photogrammetry, documentary photography, animation and drawing). All models are still hanging out in my studio as I have not yet found the perfect method of documenting objects for future viewers. Michelle Gay is an artist, designer, and researcher. She is currently working on a PhD in the Environmental and Urban Change faculty at York University, focusing on Artists as Urban Theorists. https://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/michelle-gay.html

Fantastic write up!

We are pleased to present Fatima Garzan’s work for www.embassyculturalhouse.ca exhibit #HidinginPlainSight: Beyond the Shadows", 2020, mixed media on canvas Fatima’s Artist Statement: Beyond the Shadows is a reflection on how much the current political moment has radically transformed our physical, psychological and economic lives. We face triple crises of a global pandemic, injustice and systemic racism at a time when financially-motivated autocrats and their extremist pa...rties continue to manipulate the masses to further their own agenda and often immoral goals. Beyond the Shadows is a paper cut-out of life drawings that was created over a long period of time. Although they are far from a perfect rendering of the human body, I treasure these fragile drawings. I have a special bond with them despite not knowing anything about who they are, where they are now or what their story was. To me, they have a divine presence as a constellation of human figures in the space that they refuge. They are citizens, men and women, old and young, who were courageous, vulnerable, and exposed. Some look content or contemplating, and others evoke pain, damage, and displacement; regardless of their situation, all stand tall with a will to survive a natural reaction of the human spirit. They seem to understand, cautiously and somewhat reluctantly, the precariousness of the present moment hovering over them. They have small gatherings and lawfully practice physical distancing - a new era of thinking about how bodies exist in public spaces and at the crossroads of transcontinental politics. Fatima Garzan is an Iranian-born Canadian artist. Garzan's art practice spans across painting, printmaking, and installations. Her experimentation with an array of materials from paper to plastic, lead her work to different and unexpected concepts. Her work evokes cultural traditions and the power of re-using and recycling materials in an increasingly congested world. Garzan has exhibited in Canada, France, and Iran. Please visit her artist page for more information. #visualart #londonontario

Great exhibit at Museum London of the #blacklivesmatter rally placards from the protest this summer.

We are pleased to present Mireya Folch-Serra’s (@folchserra) work for Hiding in Plain Sight: The Butterfly Affect", 2020, acrylic & mixed media on canvas Mireya’s Artist Statement: When I produce a painting, an artifact, it gives information about me. It tells that I like all kinds of images, those in nature like trees, lakes, and flowers and those in books of art, especially the old masters. I reproduce and somehow mix natural images with images of Greek and Roman antiquit...y, Renaissance artists or 19th Century masters. I like to quote the images close to my heart and sensitivity. I believe in telling a story when I paint, usually, something emotionally charged with an imagery related to themes that intrigue and inspire me. I called it my personal interpretation of Kitsch. "The butterfly effect", for instance, is an event and a natural phenomenon that conveys the beauty and drama of the imagined and the possible. I cannot think of something more intriguing than the fragility and power of butterflies. Mireya Folch Serra was born during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) in Tarragona, Spain. The daughter and granddaughter of antifascist Spanish exiles she has lived in Toulouse, France, Mexico City and Canada. Since 1994 she has lived in London, Ontario, and for many years she taught geography at Western University. Her publications explore the silencing of collective memory and the lack of historical justice in contemporary Spain. As a retired Professor Emerita, her passion for writing, viewing, and doing art is now a full-time occupation. Please visit her artist page for more information. #hidinginplainsight #embassyculturalhouse #londonont #londonontario #politics #Elections #SarahKendzior #MireyaFolchSerra

What a great photo of the ECH! Thanks for sharing Stephen Frost.

Next up, we are pleased to present Michael Fernandes’ work for Hiding in Plain Sight. Michael’s work is a VIDEO, so please follow the link to view the full video. Writing on the Wall", 2020, iPhone video Michael’s Artist Statement: The title of the exhibition suggests doing nefarious deeds and getting away with it. Dictators are emboldened to such a degree that they feel free, under the guise of serving the people, to fulfill their own selfish aims. This audacious contempt... has become the way of the world - witness the current rise in global autocracy. The short video clip Writing on the wall demonstrates a different version -that of an innocent two year old being caught in the act doing what he wants without any ulterior motive. Both father and son cordially agree to cease and desist. Michael Fernandes arrived in Montreal from his native Trinidad, in the 1960s, to study at the Museum of Fine Arts. He has taught at NSCAD for many years and has exhibited across Canada and internationally including MASS MOCA, and MoMA PS1. His works are included in the collections of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and The National Gallery of Canada. Michael Fernandes received the 2020 Governor General's Award in Media and Visual Arts. Please visit his artist page for more information.

Flashback Moment: On a summer day in 1957, King Ganam made an appearance before an overflow crowd of 14,000 fans at the then-new Covent Garden Market. He also visited his friends, and fellow Lebanese Canadians, the Hassan family, at their Erie Avenue home. Ameen Sied (King) Ganam found a calm space with the Hassans, owners of the Embassy hotel. Future artist and Embassy Cultural House co-founder Jamelie Hassan was taking violin lessons and King Ganam played on her little fid...dle, sounding the first notes of the Embassy Cultural House. The Saskatchewan-born star known as Canada’s King of The Fiddle had come to London for a homecoming of co-stars Gordie Tapp and Tommy Hunter. All three were stars of CBC-TV’s Country Hoedown, a huge hit show with Ganam as its leader. - James Reaney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrypIZjcFzw

Great photos of the Embassy Hotel!

Well-known London arts and culture writer James Reaney shares his reflections on the re-imagining of the #embassyculturalhouse and the storied history of the Embassy Hotel's connection to King Ganam Canada’s King of The Fiddle. http://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca//james-reaney-hiding-in

Please see Fern Helfand's new artist page on the #embassyculturalhouse web site. Fern is a photo-based artist and educator living in #Kelowna, BC. Helfand’s art production has always been influenced by the environments and cultures in which she has lived, worked and travelled. Fern had a solo exhibit in 1983 at the ECH, and she participated in two group exhibitions and many of the subsequent events programmed at the ECH. As of today, she is part of the newly formed Embassy Cultural House Advisory Circle. She also is a contributing artist in the #hidinginplainsight virtual exhibit launching Friday October 30. #visualarts http://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/fern-helfand.html

Check out Museum London new fall exhibitions which are now open! Explore photographic art in RESOLUTION; learn about the Ipperwash crisis in Gaawiin Ogiibagidenaawaasiiwaawan / They Did Not Let It Go; from the Museum’s collections, see a selection of chairs and paintings featuring chairs on display in Sit On It!; and view 117 powerful protest signs in Black Lives Matter, London. The 5 artists from the #embassyculturalhouse community (Ron Benner, David Buchan, Suzy Lake, Gerard Pas & Thelma Rosner) are in the photographic art exhibit Resolution. http://museumlondon.ca/exhibitions

Amazing article on Greg Curnoe (1936 - 1992) and bikes and Greg's last bike ride. https://thewalrus.ca/geared-up/

A new exhibit at ArtLab Gallery at Western University.

Please see our new artist page for Dave Gordon Art. Kingston-based curator Jan Allen's has written about Dave's work: "In his recent paintings, surreal species displacements signal nature in crisis: a dolphin or sailfish leaps from an eastern Ontario lake, or ominous animal-shaped cloud formations - a massive whale or stretch-necked chickens - hover over the land. In these paintings Dave animates the sky with portents of a sullied natural world." Born in #londonontario, and long-time Kingston resident, Dave was a founding member of the Forest City Gallery and was an early exhibitor at the #embassyculturalhouse in 1983. He has also submitted a work in the upcoming virtual exhibit #hidinginplainsight. http://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/dave-gordon.html

Greg Curnoe (1936-1992) was avid supporter of the #embassyculturalhouse, and his family has contributed a piece in our upcoming virtual exhibit #hidinginplainsight.

We are happy to share the new artist page for Mireya Folch Serra. Mireya was born during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) in Tarragona, Spain. Since 1994, she has lived in #LondonOntario, and for many years she taught geography at Western University. Her work also has been presented in exhibitions at the Westland Gallery and Strand Fine Art, London, Ontario. Mireya is a contributing artist to the #embassyculturalhouse virtual exhibit #hidinginplainsight http://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/mireya-folch-serra.html

We are pleased to share this new video with London, Ontario, ceramic artist Susan Day Ceramics. Susan spoke with the editorial collective of the #EmbassyCulturalHouse on October 2, 2020. She shared her memories of her ceramic installation in the old Embassy Hotel in East #LondonOntario. Video editing by Mackenzie Smith. https://www.youtube.com/watch

#ShelleyNiro is also participating in the first virtual exhibit of the #embassyculturalhouse #hidinginplainsight launching October 30th.

It is with great pleasure that we are sharing the artist page for for Zainub Verjee on the #embassyculturalhouse website. Zainub is the laureate of 2020 Governor General's Visual and Media Arts for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Canada. She is currently involved in the national campaign on Basic Income and is the co-author of the public letter to the Prime Minister of Canada on Basic Income Guarantee. #artists4basicincome, Zainub is also a contributing artist for #hidinginplainsight the first virtual exhibit of the ECH launching October 30th. #visualarts #GGArts2020 http://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/zainub-verjee.html

#jaycesalloum is contributing an image to the #hidinginplainsight virtual exhibit of the #embassyculturalhouse launching October 30th. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdshBSh_d5/?igshid=nshywnzbviud