Founded in 1997 by Filipino/a poets and artists in Seattle, isangMahal arts kollective was, for more than a decade, a liberatory vehicle for poets, artists, dancers, DJs, musicians, singers and creatives of colour to express themselves and build community. Through their grassroots art-as-activism approach, the group encouraged bold and innovative self-expression, intergenerational knowledge production, cultural transmission and political education, community organizing and individual and collective empowerment.
In a time when positive representations of people of colour were narrow and sparse, the spaces isangMahal provided offered connection, collaboration, safety and support. This enabled spirited, creative and emotional explorations of diasporic and mixed heritage identity, memory, love, struggle, and relationality, as well as accessible entry points into what today would be termed decolonial history, anti-racist and intersectional politics. With the tagline “subverting kultural genocide,” their purpose was clear: to make it possible, despite oppressive conditions, for their knowledge, history and culture to flourish and thrive.
Based at the Theatre Off Jackson in the Chinatown-International District, they held monthly open microphones events, known as ‘home gigs’, attended by hundreds, that gradually shaped the fabric of Seattle creative life. ‘Away gigs’ were featured appearances at high schools, colleges and universities across Washington State and the country more widely, influencing a generation of Asian American and youth spoken word and poetry, and creating regional and national impact. isangMahal’s presence and model both inspired and directly supported the formation of many other collectives and initiatives, including the still-active arts education organization Youth Speaks Seattle.
Nearly 30 years later, former kollective members will gather at the storied Theatre Off Jackson for a series of events and activities remembering and honouring isangMahal’s role in this important and vital artistic movement – a welcome homecoming in recognition of the significance of the group’s extensive contributions to local and national culture.
On August 23 (2-6PM), three artistic workshops – poetry/writing, visual arts, and DJing – will be held, followed by an open mic event at 4pm. These sessions, open to the public, will provide an opportunity for emerging, established and returning writers, artists and DJs to explore and create collaboratively, in true isangMahal tradition.
