“Spanglish” is defined as “a hybrid language combining words and idioms from both Spanish and English, especially Spanish speech that uses many English words and expressions.” I define Spanglish as demolishing language barriers by fully embracing and accepting beginnings and influence.

I have used the combination of sculpture and poetry to use the best parts of written words and body language. The poems I have written express times when I cannot seem to find the words in English or in Spanish. I chose to write without pausing to figure out what words meant in what language, I just kept writting. I found such liberation in true un-translated self
expression.

PROCESS

I began each sculpture with four images of myself in a pose from different angles. This says I could have a full reference of the desired pose. Once the sculpture was finished I would paint it white and begin writing as the sculpture dried. I would write about whatever I felt that day, allowing my writing to be influenced by my daily life. As I wrote I would make sure to write
just as the words came to me. Not focusing on English or Spanish, allowing my bilingual brain to just be itself. Once I have a poem written, I paint my sculpture with gouache by using intuitive brush strokes and allowing the forms of the sculpture and the feel of the poem to inform the colors and painting. Finally I use the lines, shapes, and forms to dictate how I will place the poem on the sculpture. Thus completing the artwork.

Hanna Kratsman Robles was born in Trullijo Puerto Rico. She moved to Dallas when she was young and finished her degree in Drawing and Painting from the University of North Texas in 2022.

She now lives and works as an art teacher in the DFW area. She began as a traditionaloil painter but began experimenting with poetry and sculpture during her time at the Online Belgrade Studio Residency.