Ian Sanborn

Ian Sanborn is an American ASL poet, performer, educator, and visual artist.

Being a New Hampshire native, Sanborn is best known for his pieces Caterpillar and Tick Tock. His work has been featured both nationally and internationally at institutions such as Cornell University and Sign Mindle in Seoul, South Korea, offering a platform for study and inspiration for both Deaf and hearing audiences.

To Sanborn, poetry is a living, breathing art that invites the world to not only see but also feel the beauty of language in its most visual and visceral form. Sign language poetry is the embodiment of language that transcends the traditional limits of words. And it reaches even further: through signs, expressions, and the rhythm of movement, ASL poetry connects the depths of human experience, creating space for Deaf culture to be fully recognized. Sanborn’s work ensures that poetry is not just read and heard, but also seen and felt, shaping the evolving landscape of Deaf performing arts.