Meet the Team
Hesam Garshasbi
Hesam Garshasbi is a journalist and music producer, and the founder of Vaak Records, established in 2020 to support independent voices in Iranian music. In 2023, he co-founded Vaak Collective, expanding the platform beyond music into cinema and design through multidisciplinary cultural programming and collaborations.
Co-Founder
Hossein hejrati
Hossein Hejrati is an interdisciplinary artist, architect and cultural programmer whose work moves across cinema, architecture and contemporary culture. In 2023, he co-founded Vaak Collective, contributing to its multidisciplinary programmes through film, design and collaborative cultural projects.
Co-Founder - Director
Creative Directormahoo ashouri
Mahoo Ashouri is a creative director, spatial designer and cultural programmer based in London. As Creative Director of Vaak Collective, she develops and curates multidisciplinary programmes across music, cinema and design, creating platforms for collaboration, cultural exchange and emerging voices.
Our story
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Vaak, derived from the Persian word for “voice,” is a London-based cultural platform bringing together art, music, cinema, and fashion from Iran and the wider Persian-speaking world.
Vaak functions as a multidisciplinary hub, creating space for artists to present work, collaborate across borders, and engage with new audiences. With a particular focus on voices from the SWANA region, the platform fosters dialogue between emerging and established creatives across disciplines.
Through events, exhibitions, screenings, and performances, Vaak develops new cultural experiences that reflect contemporary narratives while remaining rooted in heritage. It is committed to supporting artists in shaping and sharing their work, while building a dynamic and interconnected creative community.
