Aiyana Leal-Robles is a self-taught artist and photographer from Pico Rivera, California. Leal-Robles has used art as a form of expression during a traumatic childhood and continues to use art as a means of healing as an adult. By pulling inspiration from painful experiences, she has been able to transmute her pain into works of art. Leal-Robles believes in practicing and consuming art as a tool for introspection, and by understanding ourselves we are able to better understand and help others.
Leal-Robles's work depicts themes that may be considered taboo such as sexuality, nudity, abuse, spirituality, and mental health. These stem from her own personal experiences in early life that have impacted her greatly, but they have provided her with a unique perspective. In the fall of 2016, Leal-Robles was forced to withdraw from school and retire from her softball career, thus relinquishing her Division 1 scholarship to play at George Washington University. This abrupt ending was due to one of multiple concussions sustained during sport alongside the ever-growing unseen long-term effects of abuse and sexual trauma.
Leal-Robles's work depicts themes that may be considered taboo such as sexuality, nudity, abuse, spirituality, and mental health. These stem from her own personal experiences in early life that have impacted her greatly, but they have provided her with a unique perspective. In the fall of 2016, Leal-Robles was forced to withdraw from school and retire from her softball career, thus relinquishing her Division 1 scholarship to play at George Washington University. This abrupt ending was due to one of multiple concussions sustained during sport alongside the ever-growing unseen long-term effects of abuse and sexual trauma.
Before declaring her major in art in 2016, Leal-Robles submitted two drawings to a student-led show, Generation: Queer, at the Griffin Gallery at her previous school. In that same year, Leal-Robles had 3 original paintings displayed during Amber Rose's Slutwalk.
Leal-Robles has been able to create a beatiful life despite her hardships. From 2017-2021, she returned to the softball world as a high school, travel ball, and catching coach. Additionally, she has been able to make a business out of selling paintings as well as becoming a freelance photorapher. She currently works as a Library Media Technician, and has plans to graduate with her BFA from Arizona State University this year.