Why Do You Need an Artist Statement?
As a professional artist, you need to have more than your work to get around in the art world. Along with your portfolio, you should have an artist statement available at a moment’s notice. An artist statement should be considered just as important as your works. An artist statement is most often the front line of communication between an artist and the public. It will be used when you submit your portfolio to competitions, galleries, and museums. It may sometimes be displayed when people are viewing your works in person or on your website. If it’s online, your artist statement will be read by people from all over the world.
Guide to Writing Artist Statements
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There are three main elements to consider: the “how,” the “what,” and the “why.” There should be enough information in your artist statement that someone can begin to imagine the art that you make without having it in front of them.
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The Statement Should Tell What the Artist Makes: This is an opportunity for the artist to describe "what" they make. Are your paintings abstract? Portraits? Do you take photos of landscapes? What is your imagery? When other people describe what you make, what do they say? Describe the content of your works in a general way to flow from how you work to what you make.
The Statement Should Tell How the Works Are Made: The ‘How’ refers to how you created your works. Many visitors are interested in knowing about your artistic process. Describe your works; what colors do you use, do you make large marks or small marks, or do you use blending so there are no visible marks at all? If you’re a photographer, what kind of tools are integral to your process? Include descriptions of any special techniques that were used in producing this art. The artist should not get technical or provide a step by step guide on how to create their art. If there are any unusual materials used, that can be mentioned too. The Statement Should Tell Why the Artist Makes the Work: The artist should explain why they create this kind of art. This could be in the form of an explanation of the artist’s motivation, subject matter or maybe someone who inspired the artist to express their art. In addition, the “why” could also discuss any artistic or personal influences. Overall, the artist is telling the reader the personal reasons why they create their art. |
What are the Artist's Outside Influences? You should always give credit to the artists and specific works that inspired you along the way. It is always a good idea to demonstrate influences from both historical and contemporary artists to demonstrate your understanding of the ever-evolving art world.
Steps to Structuring your Artist Statement
STEP ONE: Assemble the Ingredients.
1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do. Jot down short phrases that capture your thoughts. Don't worry about making sense or connections. The more you stir up at this point, the richer the stew. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Your answers are the meat and potatoes of your stew. Let them be raw & uncut for now.
STEP TWO: Filling the Pot.
Write a three paragraph artist's statement. Keep your sentences authentic and direct. Use the present tense ("I am," not "I was," "I do," not "I did.") As a rule, your artist's statement should be written in the first person. Refer to yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my." Be sure to mention artists whose works you admire and how their inspiration is emulated in your work. Use the suggestions below to structure your statement. Write three to five sentences per paragraph.
STEP THREE: Simmering the Stew.
Your artist's statement is a piece of very personal writing. Let it simmer overnight before your reread it. This incubation period will help give you the detachment necessary to polish the writing without violating your sense of integrity and safety.
STEP FOUR: Taste and Correct the Seasonings.
Read your statement aloud. Listen to the way the sounds and rhythms seem to invite pauses. Notice places where you'd like the sound or rhythm to be different. Your goal is to sound wholehearted, not self-important. Risk puffing yourself up as long as your claims are in line with your goals and values. Choose a trusted friend or professional to read your statement.
1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do. Jot down short phrases that capture your thoughts. Don't worry about making sense or connections. The more you stir up at this point, the richer the stew. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Your answers are the meat and potatoes of your stew. Let them be raw & uncut for now.
- How did you get into this work?
- How do you feel when work is going well?
- What is your favorite tool? Why?
- What media do you work with? What interests you about work of this type?
- What do you like best about what you do?
- What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out really well?
- What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light?
- What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why?
- What is your favorite color? List three qualities of the color. Consider that these qualities apply to your work.
- Do the materials have an impact on the meaning of the work?
- What themes, concerns and ideas have you have explored in this work?
- What experiences have contributed to the making of this work?
- What outside interests, artists, encounters or experiences have influenced your work?
- What ties your individual pieces of work together into a cohesive body of work?
- Is there an ‘intention' behind the work; what do you want the work to achieve?
- How do you want your audience to experience the work?
- How do you justify your selection of works chosen?
- Do you have an overall vision for presenting this body of work?
STEP TWO: Filling the Pot.
Write a three paragraph artist's statement. Keep your sentences authentic and direct. Use the present tense ("I am," not "I was," "I do," not "I did.") As a rule, your artist's statement should be written in the first person. Refer to yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my." Be sure to mention artists whose works you admire and how their inspiration is emulated in your work. Use the suggestions below to structure your statement. Write three to five sentences per paragraph.
- First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations.
- Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the course of your work. How and why do you select materials, techniques, themes? Keep it simple and tell the truth.
- Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current work. How it has grown out of prior work or life experiences. What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.
STEP THREE: Simmering the Stew.
Your artist's statement is a piece of very personal writing. Let it simmer overnight before your reread it. This incubation period will help give you the detachment necessary to polish the writing without violating your sense of integrity and safety.
STEP FOUR: Taste and Correct the Seasonings.
Read your statement aloud. Listen to the way the sounds and rhythms seem to invite pauses. Notice places where you'd like the sound or rhythm to be different. Your goal is to sound wholehearted, not self-important. Risk puffing yourself up as long as your claims are in line with your goals and values. Choose a trusted friend or professional to read your statement.
Resources:
http://artiststatement.com/
http://www.agora-gallery.com/advice/blog/2015/05/12/how-to-write-an-artist-statement/
http://bluelavaart.com/curatorial-rationale.html
http://artiststatement.com/
http://www.agora-gallery.com/advice/blog/2015/05/12/how-to-write-an-artist-statement/
http://bluelavaart.com/curatorial-rationale.html
Curatorial Rationale (Extended Artist Statement)
What is a Curatorial Rationale?
The Curatorial Rationale is similar to an artists’ statement, but refers specifically to the work selected for this exhibition rather than the general artistic output. Writing the Rationale is part of the process of self- reflection, decision making, and of understanding of the relationship between artist and audience.
Break it down into 3 parts:
Overview, concepts, and ideas (theme):
You set the stage, so to speak, introducing us to the exhibition, what it is about and what are the underlying themes or threads.
Selection of works
The second paragraph can be a general discussion of the works in the show, or you may choose to list and discuss each piece individually, making connections among them. Maybe there is a particular piece that is pivotal to the rest of the show and you discuss this one in relation to the others.
The third part of the rationale can address the relationship with the audience and how the curatorial decisions you made may contribute to the viewers response.
Journal reflections to build upon
The Curatorial Rationale is similar to an artists’ statement, but refers specifically to the work selected for this exhibition rather than the general artistic output. Writing the Rationale is part of the process of self- reflection, decision making, and of understanding of the relationship between artist and audience.
Break it down into 3 parts:
- Overview, concepts, and ideas
- Selection of works
- Viewer Relationships
Overview, concepts, and ideas (theme):
You set the stage, so to speak, introducing us to the exhibition, what it is about and what are the underlying themes or threads.
- How did your theme come about?
- What are the concepts, issues or ideas you have explored here and how are they linked in your work?
- What experiences have contributed to the making of this work?
Selection of works
The second paragraph can be a general discussion of the works in the show, or you may choose to list and discuss each piece individually, making connections among them. Maybe there is a particular piece that is pivotal to the rest of the show and you discuss this one in relation to the others.
- What materials and techniques have you used and why did you choose these?
- Do the materials have an impact on the meaning of the work?
- How do you justify your selection of works chosen?
The third part of the rationale can address the relationship with the audience and how the curatorial decisions you made may contribute to the viewers response.
- How does the way the work is displayed, hung, otherwise presented contribute to how it communicates with the viewer?
- How did you consider the arrangement of the works within the space that you have available?
- Do you have an overall vision for presenting this body of work?
- Be HONEST when writing about your work.
- Do not write fluff or make things up about your work.
- Refrain from using words such as beautiful, amazing, gorgeous, etc.
- Stick to the facts!
- Check your grammar and spelling.
- Cannot exceed 400 words.
Journal reflections to build upon
- What media do you work with? What interests you about work of this type?
- What themes, concerns and ideas have you have explored in this work?
- Is there a relationship between the media you use and the ideas that you work with?
- What outside interests, artists, encounters or experiences have influenced your work?
- What ties your individual pieces of work together into a cohesive body of work?
- Is there an ‘intention' behind the work; what do you want the work to achieve?
- How do you want your audience to experience it?
- How have your methods of display (how the work is arranged and presented) contributed to the viewer's experience?
- What is your vision for presenting this body of work (imagine you could have any possible space or display method)?
- Formal requirements
