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ARTIST STATEMENT
Side Note: Writing an artist statement often will prompt your
mind to other ideas or think about your work in new ways.
- Who is your audience? It helps to have someone in mind when you are writing.
- How can you clarify what your work is about, how can you make your work easier to understand?
- If you are exploring, uncertain, or struggling to nd the meaning of your work, suitable media, a
focus, etc. en SAY IT!
REMEMBER: If you are unsure of what your work is about, your readers will be as well.
Throughout the Process Remember
In the Beginning...
- Have a friend interview you and ask ques-
tions about your work. Answer the questions,
audio record the conversation or take notes.
- Have someone who doesn’t know your work
ask you questions.
- Read the statements or writings of artists
with whom you have an afinity.
It’s easy to nd these on line.
- Read what has been written about artists
with whom you have an afinity.
While you’re writing...
- Write in the first person and avoid “art speak” and jargon.
- Avoid editorializing or over-explaining.
- Keep your statement concise, succinct, straightforward and to the point.
One page is more than enough.
- Speak as honestly and straight forward as you can. Be authentic!
- Edit out phrases that are not speci c to your work. There are experiences that are
common to almost every artist that, although they may be powerful and profound for each individ-
ual come across as ordinary or common to the viewer.
Make the reader want to look at, and know more about your work.
- Your statement should be more than just a description of your process.
- Use quotes ONLY when they are absolutely relevant to your work.
When you’re finished...
- Have a faculty member read your statement while looking at the work.
- Write! Not just statements about your work. Keep a journal. Keep notes. Observations. Thoughts.
Reflections. Critiques. Take notes at lectures. Take notes of what you see at exhibitions or presen-
tations of work. Keep the writing going and integrate it into your life and practice. This will make
all of this so much easier!
Enjoy the process!
LISTS! A possible approach
You may want to create lists! One approach is
to list the nouns, verbs and adjectives that
relate to your work. Then create sentences.
This will refresh the way to talk about your
work and open up your vocabulary. After
creating these lists or notes, formalize and
organize your material. Begin with a thesis
statement and continue to build statement.
Most statements are no longer than one page,
1-3 paragraphs long.