Sabrina Robinson
Visual Artist
A Portfolio
They ask me what is it that I do.
My answer -- whatever it takes.
Sabrina Robinson is a photojournalist, videographer, and well-rounded artist but ultimately identifies herself as an artist with no genre -- just whatever it takes to tell the story. Under the alias of Signed SPKR, Sabrina believes that the most sure way to establish confidence and assurance of community is by putting your name on the line.
Biography
Born in Arkansas, Sabrina laid roots in Charlotte, NC in 2007. After realizing the differences and discrepancies between the two states in the education system, Sabrina was motivated to continue her learning and expand the knowledge of Black culture that she had been deprived of in her former school system. She continued her education at an HBCU and studied art. That would lead her to become a photojournalist after shadowing a photographer from the Washington Post in Florence, Italy. There she served as Graphics Editor and produced a student publication called “Hip Hop Meets the Renaissance,” an exploration of Black culture’s impact on European nations and the world. I realized that I had a duty to tell the stories of the underrepresented. Sabrina would soon explore the medium of videography to further enhance her storytelling and provide dimension to her photographs.
My approach
As an artist, I do not subscribe to one specific genre. I use and blend multiple art mediums to tell stories to bring awareness and normalcy to tough conversations around activism, civic & social change, and mental health. In my current role working with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, I continue to use art to give voice and agency to my community by archiving various events around Charlotte such as protests, frontline workers, displaced families, etc. As a Library Associate in Teen Services, I channel these events into programs that provide audiences insight, depth, and encouragement in hopes that they use their gifts to amplify their voice. Especially BIPOC youth.
Bachelor of Arts in Art Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC Concentration: Computer Graphics |
Present - Master’s of Library and Information Studies The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Specialization: Social Justice for Archives SJ4A Fellowship for Community Embedded Archivist |
Spectrum Scholar American Library Association’s scholarship program that is committed to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians to position ALA to provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services |
Statue of David Best in Photography for Hip Hop Meets the Renaissance Magazine |
Education & Achivements
Sabrina Robinson’s educational journey has and continues to equip her with the tools and resources from training in the arts to social justice works and stewardship.
Body of work
Preservation
The Living Archives is a 300+ collection of COVID-19 accounts of BIPOC communities.
Community
As a library associate and faithful patron and supporter of libraries, these images emphasize the roles of free community-based spaces that push the boundaries beyond traditional library duties and build initivate to eliminate barries.
2023
Summer Break Kick Off
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library partners with Charlotte Baseball League to expose youth to the sport of baseball and encourage reading to battle learning regression
2023
Summer Break Finale
The Moutain Island Branch a Summer Break Finale celebrating the accomplishment of the community commitment to read 1,000,000 minutes.
2022
Meck Tech Connect Kick Off
Meck Tech Connect is a collaboration with the city of Charlotte to bridge the digiral divide by providng fee wi-fi and distribution free laptops.
Civic Engagement and Social Change
As a part of the Engage2020 team, to ensure that the library served as a witness to uncertain times, I actively capture protests and curate a video to compile recollections of the pandemic into a musical experience and participate in on-the-ground movements and celebrations like the Charlotte Pride Parade.
2022
Charlotte Pride
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library represents at the Charlotte Pride Parade uptown.
2020
Signs and Sypmtoms
This motion galleria is a collection of archives of Charlotte protest that also partners with local Charlotte artist to artistically preserve the era of 2020 that comprised of the ongoing pandemic, political unrest, and social justice movements.
2020
Charlotte Protest
images of various Black Lives Matter protest around Charlotte, NC.
Black Where Ever I Go...
Black Where Ever I Go...
Black Where Ever I Go...
Black Where Ever I Go...
Black Where Ever I Go...
One of my first and most meaningful impacts was serving as a photojournalist for “Hip-Hop Meets the Rennaisance” student publication.
Students from three Historically Black Colleges and Universities—Florida A&M University, North Carolina Central University, and Winston-Salem State University—alongside the University of Maryland, embark on a journey to explore the traces of hip-hop in Italian culture while uncovering its global impact. T
Through music, journalism, broadcasting, and play production, they take on the challenge of discovering the intersections of hip-hop and Italian culture. To access the finalized publication, click the icon below!
Thank you
Contact
Sabrina Robinson
signedspkr@gmail.com