“To be honest, I didn’t really think of what I did as art activism. … I was a Vis Arts major, and I wanted to use my projects as opportunities to process what I was confronting, or struggling to confront.”
“I think, well, one of the things that I’ve kept close to heart, all these years later is actually a quote… related to solidarity work and building relationships and community. If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together. And I think about this pretty often […] and it encourages me to keep reading, to keep learning, to keep listening to people’s stories and connecting with them one to one.”
Moe Abugan was an undergraduate student studying Visual Arts and Communication from 2007 to 2012. During their time as an undergrad, Moe was involved with OASIS Summer Bridge, Kaibigang Pilipino, KP STAR, the Student Affirmative Action Committee, the Cross-Cultural Center, SPACES, and Kamalayan Kollective. The work they contributed to help foster community and strength, gave space to quieted voices and stories, and allowed for collective healing and processing. Moe carries their undergraduate experiences as reflections and motivation to continue trailblazing and growing personally, politically and professionally. They currently work as a program manager for user experience in the health care field.
This interview was conducted through Zoom by Samantha Pagdilao through the AAPI Studies Community Archive Project (now known as GROW). At the time of interview, Sam was a third year student studying Business Psychology with a minor in Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies.
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