Artist Statements
Meaning
An artist's written description of their work. The brief verbal representation is for, and in support of, his or her own work to give the viewer understanding.
Importance
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.
Content
Minimum between 150-200 words (two paragraphs)
Has to have the three elements
How
What
Why
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?
Are your paintings abstract?
Portraits? Do you take photos of landscapes?
What is your imagery? When 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.
Why do you make what you make? What does your life say about your work and your work say about your life?
What symbols do you use and why?
Explain the influences behind the meanings of your works.
Style
Three C's of Style
Clear
Concise
Consistent
Use accessible vocabulary
Write like you’re speaking to a person on the street, somebody who goes to museums “every now and then,” as many of your viewers will fall into that category.
Make sure the content in your artist statement is not too complex or technical. This will intimidate your audience.
Don’t go on for pages and pages about your work. Even the most interested person will get lost in too much information.
You want your statement to be brief enough that they can get the essential information in that time,
Make sure your flow isn’t too disrupted when they stop to read the statement in full.
You want your statement to pull the viewer in, but you don’t want to bore them.
Make sure that what you say in your artist’s statement matches the works that are going to be on display.
If you also have a press release or biography available, make sure that your statement doesn’t contradict these texts at all.
Keep updating your artist statement as you grow and evolve as an artist.
Presentation
Font, Paper, Design
Keep it CLEAN and FRESH
Keep it READABLE
Extra Tips
Practice makes Perfect
The same rule applies to fonts. Make sure your font is clear and able to be read easily. You can never go wrong with basic fonts like Arial or Times New Roman.
Make sure your paper is clean, crisp, and classic. You want to look and have your materials look as professional as possible.
Plain printer paper or basic letterhead is the best way to make a professional impression. You don’t need fancy paper, paper you made by hand, or special design paper to submit your statement.
Tips for Non-English Speakers
Write out your statement a few different ways and think about which one best describes you and your work.
Read your statement out loud to make sure it flows properly.
Read it to people familiar with you and your work and listen to their comments.
Write your statement in your native language first, and then translate it.
You can use a professional translator, or you can try to translate it with an application online.
Just be sure that you have it double checked by a native speaker of whatever language your statement will be published in before you submit.
Don’t try to limit yourself to your foreign language vocabulary. Do your very best to compose something for yourself.