How to write an Artist's Statement

Why you need an Artist's Statement

...for exhibitions, on your website, in promotional material...

Making a Mark: Marketing art - people buy you as well as your art #1

As an artist, how often do you regard yourself as part of the selling experience?
Do you regard yourself as personally relevant to whether or not people collect or buy your art - or not?

This post is about the notion that people buy YOU as well as your art.

...today - About the Artist: the background details, sometimes called the CV (if you're in the UK) or resume (if in the USA) - and I haven't got a clue what other people call it!

Making a Mark: Marketing Art - How to write an Artist's Statement

Is there one right way of writing an artist's statement? Probably not - although a number of people are in agreement about what it should and shouldn't try to do.

In doing my research for this post and my new information site How to write an Artist's Statement - Resources for Artists I looked around on the Internet for what other people had to say about writing an Artist's Statement and the better ones are listed on the information site.

Conscientious | Defining one's work - On Statements

Conscientious - By Joerg Colberg
"Of course, there are many different ways of writing one, and - needless to say - there exists a fairly large group of people who refuse to do it (I'll call them the refuseniks). Another fairly large group of people sees statements as little more than "bullshit" (a term regularly used in emails sent to me) put out by gallerists to make a quick buck (let's call them the cynics)."

Conscientious in limbo: So what is a statement good for?

RECOMMENDED Quotes a photographer Paul Turounet who neatly defines (in a comment on this post) what an artist statement is good for - summarised again by me in the statement below

6 Ways Your Artist Statement Can Work for You | Artsy Shark

A strong, well-composed artist statement helps you create effective marketing by sharing your story and ideas with prospective collectors.

DLK COLLECTION: A Few Additions to the Discussion of Artist Statements

"I thought there might be a couple of nuances from a collector's perspective that would be worth adding to the discussion.

For us, artist statements are like road maps: they give us clues to better understand the work we are seeing. Optimally, they should be as clear and to the point as possible, thereby making it more likely that any background information that is important is actually passed along and internalized. Statements that are lost in jargon and art speak miss the chance to educate us"

What should an Artist's Statement contain?

The Artist Statement - UCA: University for the Creative Arts

A good artist statement will support your professional practice, for example:
* Giving brief information to support an exhibition or catalogue
* Submitting a proposal
* Applying for a grant

It should be:
* Concise
* Effective in communicating the details you wish to emphasize
* Written in the first person
* Written primarily in the present tense

It might contain............(click the link and read on)

How to Write an Artist Statement - Explaining Your Art | ArtBusiness.com

Your Artist Statement: Explaining the Unexplainable
Q: Why do I have to write an artist statement? It's stupid.
A: Artist statements are not stupid; they're more like essential. And you don't have to be a writer to write one.

Rework Your Artist Statement with 3 Answers - Art Biz Blog

Aside from your contact list, an artist's statement is his or her most useful marketing tool. Rework your statement by answering 3 questions.

Carly_Clements: Writing The Artist Statement (1 of 1) | WetCanvas

Hopefully, this article will get you started on the way to putting thoughts and words to paper, bringing order and simplicity to those thoughts, and to writing your very own "working" artist statement.

Artist's statement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An artist's statement (or artist statement) is a brief verbal representation (didactic, descriptive, or reflective in nature) created by the artist about his or her own work.

How to write an Artist's Statement

different perspectives from different sources - review and choose your preferred approach

Molly Gordon - How to Write an Artist Statement RECOMMENDED

Follow these six steps to compose a compelling artist statement - a powerful tool for creative growth as well as for business success.

Melissa Wotherspoon - How to Write an Artist's Statement (EBSQ - Online Art Magazine) RECOMMENDED

What is an Artist's Statement?
What isn't an Artist's Statement?
Why should I write an Artist's Statement?
What information should be included?
How long should it be?
What kind of language should I use?
My words aren't flowing. How do I deal with that blank page?
Can an artist's statement change?
Where Can I Find Examples of Artists' Statements?

Artbusiness.com - How to Write an Artist Statement - Explaining Your Art RECOMMENDED

YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT: EXPLAINING THE UNEXPLAINABLE
Q: Why do I have to write an artist statement? It's stupid. If I wanted to write to express myself I would have been a writer. The whole idea of my art is to say things visually. Why can't people just look at my art and take away whatever experiences they will?
A: Artist statements are not stupid; they're more like essential.

Artbusiness.com - Artist's Statement: Writing an Artist Statement by Alan Bamberger

KEEP YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT SHORT AND CLEAR

Sylvia White - Art Advice - The Dreaded Artist Statement

"Artists can no more speak about their work, than plants can speak about horticulture." Jean Cocteau

There are many times when an artist is asked to compose an artist statement. Sometimes, it is in response to a specific inquiry by a gallery or collector, sometimes in response to a particular grant proposal or in conjunction with a curatorial statement or exhibition. Other times, artists just feel the need to explain their work. Most of the time, however, artists are not the best suited for this particular task. Regardless of one's ability to write, writing about your own work poses unique problems that very few artists are equipped to deal with.

Ariane Goodwin - Artist Statement Template

ARIANE GOODWIN, ED.D.
WRITING THE ARTIST STATEMENT: What Is An Artist Statement Anyway?
This is the women who wrote the book (see below)

Nita Leland - Writing An Artist's Statement

Suggestions for writing an artist's statement by Nita Leland, author of the Creative Artist

Artist's Statement -- How to Write an Artist's Statement | About.com Painting

Tips to help you write a personal artist's statement to accompany your paintings.

Ariane Goodwin - Writing the Artist Statement - Present Your Work with Confidence & Credibility!

"This book gives you:

* The working definition of an artist statement
* Proven writing methods
* What gallery owners really think about artist statements
* The top 7 strategies for presenting your finished statement
* Which fears will stop you cold-in writing, art, or life
* How to capture your organic "self-talk" about your work
* What makes your artist statement shine while others whine
* What helps "seal the deal" with serious collectors"

Tips for Writing Your Artist Statement

WRITING YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT By Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D.

Renee Phillips: "How to Write an Artist Statement"

This article is an excerpt from the chapter "Writing It Right" in her book Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists.

Artist's Statements -- How to Write an Artist's Statement

Tips to help you write a personal artist's statement to accompany your paintings.

The Artist Statement - UCA: University for the Creative Arts

A good artist statement will support your professional practice, for example:
* Giving brief information to support an exhibition or catalogue
* Submitting a proposal
* Applying for a grant

Artist Statement | Art school resources - ArtStudy.org

An artist statement is a general introduction of your work as an artist. It is the what, how, and why of your work, from your own perspective. It helps you convey the deeper meaning or purpose of your work to the audience

NAIA - Artists Information Statement

NAIA was formed to address the needs and concerns of artists and artisans who exhibit and sell their work primarily at art festivals.

The NAIA version of an Artist Information Statement was developed after having shows ask us for some idea of what would be helpful. We hoped that this would be a version that could be applicable to most shows that want to include a statement but would like it understood that the NAIA version is a suggestion. We ask shows to not see this version as gospel! Not all artists are members of NAIA - please don't refer to your version as "The NAIA Artists Statement".

Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #4

It's okay to laugh. It's okay to make other people laugh. And it's okay to write an artist statement about art-that-makes-us-laugh, too.

Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #1

My article about using Facebook's "25 Random Things About Me" exercise to create an artist statement appeared in the FineArtViews newsletter this week.
People are asking me exactly how to do that-turn that list into their statement. Should they just make 25 Random Things into their artist statement??

Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #2

Why you need to jazz up that "perfectly good" artist statement of yours.

Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #3

The list is a) a warm-up exercise for learning to write easily about yourself.
And b) a source for snippets about yourself that get to the heart of what you do.

Luann Udell - 25 RANDOM THINGS: Action Steps for Your Artist Statement #5

Our stories are already inside us, waiting to come out. All we need is a truly sympathetic listener who will allow that to happen.

Rework Your Artist Statement with 3 Answers - Art Biz Blog

Aside from your contact list, an artist’s statement is his or her most useful marketing tool. Rework your statement by answering 3 questions.

How to Write An Artist's Statement That Doesn't Suck - The Abundant Artist

This is a guest post from artist Hannah Piper Burns.
Artist statements: the bane of almost every artist's existence! Maybe it's because artists are such visual thinkers, or maybe because it's literally impossible to translate between mediums. Whatever the reason, writing a new statement is enough to make anyone pull out their hair. Am I right?

How to write an artists' statement | MyCake financial management

As a creative practitioner one of the most useful marketing and communication tools you can have is an artists' statement. So where to begin?

A Photo Teacher - Writing About Your Photographs

The artist's statement is a brief essay, usually one or two pages, that discusses the work being presented. A well-executed artist statement guides the viewer into the work, providing insight into the artist's conceptual thoughts and working process. It is essential the discussion is presented in a clear and thoughtful manner, and also allows for the viewer to develop their own meanings and interpretations.

allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: Compiling a Professional Arts Biography

The artist's statement does not need to expose every nuance of an artist's work, but rather provide an overview of the artist's purpose, achievements, background and experience

How to Write Your Artist's Statement with 26 Tips | Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, NYC:

People who are attracted to your work will want to know more about the artist behind it. The Artist's Statement offers you the opportunity to share your story, express your strong beliefs and artistic vision.

Brian Sherwin -- Art Critic: The Artist Statement Part 3: What to Avoid when Writing your Artist Statement

There are good ways and bad ways to write an artist statement. The success of an artist statement, based on my experience, often depends on what the artist leaves out.

How to Write an Artist Statement | Artwork Network Blog

You want your art to speak for itself, but viewers will often have questions.  The point of an artist statement is to answer questions for the viewer when you are not around. Consider the Facts An artist statement is the ...

Basics on Writing an Artist's Statement

An artist statement is a necessary tool for reflection and explanation of an artist's work. It is a constantly evolving piece of literature. It is modified as your focus evolves and when you change the focus in your work. It is a tool to help others understand your work more and a tool that helps your work to evolve.

FAA Career Services Office | Writing an Artist Statement

Length: Try to keep your statement to one page. It's fine if the statement is only a paragraph.
Topics You Could Include:
* Materials and techniques
* Themes or issues explored
* Inspirations
* Subject matter

Artist Statement - Writing Center - The University of Oklahoma

Are you: Approaching a gallery? Showing work in an exhibition? Posting artwork on the Internet? Writing a biography? Proposing new work? Creating/Renewing your website? Then you'll want to know how to write your artist statement.

How to Prepare an Artist Statement | Hurley Media LLC

Do you have a coherent, cohesive, fully-realized body of work yet?

The Language of an Artist's Statement (Humour)

for when writing the Artist Statement all gets a bit too much

Gurney Journey: Artist's Statement Generator

Next time your gallery dealer asks you for an Artist's Statement, don't despair. Instead of sweating over writing one yourself, just use this all-purpose Artist's Statement Generator.

An award-winning artist's amusing take on how to create an artist's statement.
This is ESSENTIAL reading for any time you feel the need to "obfuscate" (ie use long and obscure words which conceal the meaning of what you are trying to say!)

Instant artist statement: Arty Bollocks Generator

Create an instant artist statement. Arty bollocks guaranteed.

Artist's statement translated | Boing Boing

Charlotte Young has produced an "artist's statement" video with handy subtitles intended to de-bullshytte-ify this often obscure literary form.

THE PATENTED 10gallon.com ARTIST STATEMENT GENERATOR 2000

Fill in the blanks, and press the button for the last Artist Statement you'll ever need.

Examples of Artists' Statements

Artists Foundation: How to write an Artist Statement

How to write an Artist Statement
Writing an artist statement sometimes can be harder than making the actual work.

Provides three examples of different types of statements

Martin Langford Prints - Designer of works such as Hungry City, Small World & Grapple

example of a straightforward artist's statement written in plain English

Sample Artist Statement | Art school resources - ArtStudy.org

The following artist statement examples are provided as samples you can emulate. Don't copy them, but use them to identify how to sculpt your statement using ideas and words.

NAIA - Samples / examples of possible approaches

NAIA was formed to address the needs and concerns of artists and artisans who exhibit and sell their work primarily at art festivals.

SOME EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE APPROACHES to the production of an artist statement

BPracticalPottery's Blog - The Artist Statement: Issue

I am re-vamping my portfolio to get ready and apply for some residencies. I am having trouble with it. What really should an artist statement say? I figure it is always good to see what others have to say. This is what I've found there are no rules. Some artists stick within a minimalist mindset and say let the art speak for itself. Others preach their entire philosophy.

Here are some artist statements I have looked at.....

The Evolution of an Artist Statement – A Benefit of Working in a Series

I've been working on my Structures series for over 10 years. As the series matures, I've updated my artist statement with the deeper insights gained through the passing of time. Below I share a history of the words I've used to describe the work.

How to present an Artist's Statement

Will anybody read your statement the way you've presented it?

Joanne Mattera Art Blog: Marketing Mondays: Rethinking the Artist's Statement

Joanne Mattera focuses on the presentation of the Artist Statement and how it can be improved - so it actually gets read

"Considering the way we read the printed page as just described, or surf the net with a series mouse clicks and flashing images, who in the world is going to give your statement the three or so minutes it takes to plow through a paragraph that may or may not even be plowable?"

How to use an Artist Statement

Now you've got it - what are you going to do with it?

6 Ways Your Artist Statement Can Work for You | Artsy Shark

A strong, well-composed artist statement helps you create effective marketing by sharing your story and ideas with prospective collectors.

How to address gaps and problems with your Artist Statement

Art Biz Blog: What to do with a gap in your artist resume

I received this question from Judith Glover. She asks:My resume from 14 years ago when I was a watercolor artist is impressive, but I didn't create art between then and now. My new work is totally different.

Artist's Statements - A Critique

reviews of different approaches and perspectives

Conscientious | Defining one's work - On Statements

RECOMMENDED: an excellent review of the practical implications of the two classic reasons offered for NOT doing an artist statement and other pitfalls and perspectives on the reasons for creating an artist's statement (this post is a slightly edited compilation of posts, originally published on his temporary blog - see below - while his main blog was unavailable)

"It's very worthwhile to talk about statements in more detail, especially since there are quite a few pitfalls to be aware of.

Of course, there are many different ways of writing one, and - needless to say - there exists a fairly large group of people who refuse to do it (I'll call them the refuseniks). Another fairly large group of people sees statements as little more than "bullshit" (a term regularly used in emails sent to me) put out by gallerists to make a quick buck (let's call them the cynics). I know I won't be able to convince either the refuseniks or the cynics that statements make a lot of sense; but everybody else might get something out of talking about statements."

Conscientious in limbo: Defining one's work (cont'ed)

RECOMMENDED: follow up post to the above
My post about statements and about talking about one's work generated some online feedback. Here is a post that neatly and very smartly summarizes what I called the refusenik approach: "I think a lot of people don't believe in the idea of 'misunderstanding' work.

Conscientious in limbo: Overdefining one's work

Tackles the issues which arise from a problem not often talked about - over-defining one's work.

Conscientious in limbo: More on statements

Here is a serious collector talking about how he views statements: "In some ways, an artist's career can be thought of as the ultimate exercise in word of mouth.........

Ian Aleksander Adams - In Response to Joerg Colberg's "Defining One's Work"

Joerg, over at Conscientious in Limbo while his webserver recovers from a crash, posted some thoughts on Defining One's Work.

The student responses he describes are often associated with the fears and lack of understanding depicted. I'm always refreshed when someone is willing to say they are still exploring, to tell me what their gut has told them about the work, and help me understand that while they don't have a statement, they are thinking. This is much preferrable to some kind of faux philosophical anti-statement stance - however, I know some work does not need a statement. Some work does suffer under unnessesary verbiage.

DLK COLLECTION: A Few Additions to the Discussion of Artist Statements

For us, artist statements are like road maps: they give us clues to better understand the work we are seeing. Optimally, they should be as clear and to the point as possible, thereby making it more likely that any background information that is important is actually passed along and internalized. Statements that are lost in jargon and art speak miss the chance to educate us. Our attention span for this kind of stuff is short (press releases fall into the same category), so make it hard hitting or you'll lose us quickly, and we'll go back to looking at the pictures and deciding for ourselves.

We Can't Paint Blog - The Kaufman Concept

Put it this way, if painter added in their statement that he or she used a very expensive brush or tube of paint to make a work, you would probably think it's ridiculous information, right?

Daniel Grant: Are "Artists' Statements" Really Necessary?

Clearly, there are two issues here: The first is whether or not to include an artist statement as part of an exhibition or in a packet of slides sent to a dealer; the second is how to conceive of, and write, a statement that helps the viewer appreciate the artwork and, at least, doesn't alienate readers. On both subjects, the opinions one often receives are contradictory.

MAKING A MARK: Translating and Updating an Artist's Statement

Here are three links to some sound resources for artists who are pondering on How to Write an Artist's Statement

The Evolution of an Artist Statement – A Benefit of Working in a Series

I've been working on my Structures series for over 10 years. As the series matures, I've updated my artist statement with the deeper insights gained through the passing of time.

crackskullbob.squarespace.com - Journal - MY ARTIST'S STATEMENT

I think artist's statements should be illegal. In my opinion, they're a kind of hate speech. Anyone who knowingly places such drivel in the path of naive unsuspecting white-as-the-driven-snow eyeballs such as mine, knowing full well that the visual ingestation of such foul, pestilential verbiage would cause my optic nerve to shrivel up......(censored!)

Frank Hobbs: The Dreaded Artist Statement

Why am I always blind-sided when the folks from public relations ask for an artist's statement? Here we go, another verbal disfigurement of whatever it is that I do as an artist. Whenever I finish writing an artist's statement I feel as if I have just given birth - not to a child, but to a miscreant.

An Artist's Statement for Online Galleries

Your Member Profile: How to Make a Great First Impression | Imagekind Blog | Buy, Sell, Create and Discuss Art

Your Member Profile: How to Make a Great First Impression. Your artist statement and biography are how you connect with your internet buyers, but writing about yourself can be tricky! Be sure to describe what you do, your materials, your inspiration and anything that relates to your artistic process.