I received a question from an artist the other day about how to write an artist’s statement. I obviously can’t comment on what anyone can say about his or her work as everyone’s work is different; I do however, have some observations and guidelines that I use for myself regarding how I write about my work. These might be helpful, especially in relieving some of the anxiety that seems to hover around creating an artist’s statement.
#1 It is about the work.
If your work was unbelievably strong and your artist’s statement only was “See my Art”, I seriously don’t think it would hurt your art career. However, if your Art is rather weak then no clever artist’s statement is going to convince anyone otherwise. In other words, the art trumps the statement. So remember, this statement is pretty puny in comparison to your actual Art. Keep it in perspective. It need not be a big deal.
#2 Write like you Speak
Most of the artist’s statements that I read I honestly do not understand. There seems to be this need for artists, when they are talking about their work, to sound utterly different than they normally do. They use new complex vocabulary words and phrases that leave you marooned in ambiguity. The end result is that you feel alienated from the artist because you don’t understand their language. Art is about connection. Think about the artist’s statement as another way to connect with people. Appearing smart and important because nobody understands you is an accomplishment, but I am not sure it will serve your art career. Keep it simple, but most importantly keep it like you by using your ordinary voice.
[Tweet “”Keep it simple, but most importantly keep it like you” – Nicholas Wilton”]
#3 When in doubt talk about how it feels.
Your work is personal, so your artist statement can be too. You don’t need to have all the answers, all the “whys” of why you make art, figured out. There doesn’t need to be some higher order that your work fits in to justify its existence. It is completely valid because you made it. Period. When I get tongue-tied I go back to how my art feels or what is the feeling I am after in making the work. This keeps it personal and nobody can argue with how or why something makes you feel a certain way. You simply cannot go wrong with writing from a place of authenticity. It works in making Art as well as writing about your Art.
I think it is important to be able to communicate in another way besides visually. The artist’s statement can provide people with an alternate route, a different point of reference to better connect with your work. If you think about that someone, the person who just is so curious about what you do that they are looking everywhere and at anything you have created to glean just a bit more understanding about your work, then this might keep you on track better. Try and be helpful. Try and keep it real and remember it is not just about you… When you are creating your statement, think of this person and help them to better understand what you do.
What has your experience been with artist’s statements, both in terms of writing and reading them? Have you read any that resonate particularly with you?
In gratitude, Nicholas
32 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
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I agree that many artist statements I read are “art talk”…
No one knows whatcthe heck they are talking about. Coming from a place of how my works feels to me and some of my inspiration is what I aim for..also make it short…One great piece of advice I got fro Alison Stanfield is write an artist statement that makes the reader stop reading and look at your art!
Thanks!
Well said! love that
I agree that many artist statements I read are “art talk”…
No one knows whatcthe heck they are talking about. Coming from a place of how my works feels to me and some of my inspiration is what I aim for..also make it short…One great piece of advice I got fro Alison Stanfield is write an artist statement that makes the reader stop reading and look at your art!
Thanks!
Well said! love that
Have you discussed how to determine if the art is strong or weak?
Ahh a much bigger conversation–but I teach people how to get their work more like them, and more stronger–come to a workshop sometime if interested–thanks for your interest
Have you discussed how to determine if the art is strong or weak?
Ahh a much bigger conversation–but I teach people how to get their work more like them, and more stronger–come to a workshop sometime if interested–thanks for your interest
Once upon a time, artists learned art in art schools. Painters taught painting. Now artists get MFAs in universities, taught by adjunct professors, who feel the need to pretend that they have the aloof, intellectual and theoretical research approach, that is murdering the Humanities.
Emotions out and intuition out. Jargon in.
and in research – conveying that wonderful new idea to as many people as possible – is no longer a value. Clear, enjoyable writing is so vulgar. Intellectual self-pleasuring, in front of your peers, is the new “in’.
“Oh! Oh! I am so much smarter than everyone else!”
It sounds like you have first hand experience with this Nanush….interesting point
Getting quoted in the footnotes, is the new apex of academia. Once upon a time, professors of philosophy, philosophized. Created NEW thoughts, added to the cannon of Western civilization. Now, everything must be quotations, based of a cold, “neutral” analysis of older texts.
It seems that the only fields in which people are entitled to create any new, thinking reflecting introspection and personal experience, are the hyper politicized and enlisted fields of identity studies: gender and skin color based post-colonialism.
Once upon a time, artists learned art in art schools. Painters taught painting. Now artists get MFAs in universities, taught by adjunct professors, who feel the need to pretend that they have the aloof, intellectual and theoretical research approach, that is murdering the Humanities.
Emotions out and intuition out. Jargon in.
and in research – conveying that wonderful new idea to as many people as possible – is no longer a value. Clear, enjoyable writing is so vulgar. Intellectual self-pleasuring, in front of your peers, is the new “in’.
“Oh! Oh! I am so much smarter than everyone else!”
It sounds like you have first hand experience with this Nanush….interesting point
Getting quoted in the footnotes, is the new apex of academia. Once upon a time, professors of philosophy, philosophized. Created NEW thoughts, added to the cannon of Western civilization. Now, everything must be quotations, based of a cold, “neutral” analysis of older texts.
It seems that the only fields in which people are entitled to create any new, thinking reflecting introspection and personal experience, are the hyper politicized and enlisted fields of identity studies: gender and skin color based post-colonialism.
Hi
I also think the “elevator pitch” is so important too. We can think, ponder and take our time writing about our work, but when someone asks us what we paint or make, we have to be quick on our feet with something to say. Sometimes I worry I don’t sound confident about my work (ie fumbling for words) or worry about sounding redundant, so as to lose that person’s interest. In an artist’s statement you have time to describe your work and influences etc. but in a pitch it’s right down to the basics.This has been my experience.
Yeah–good idea to come up with a simple way to describe what you are doing–I even coined a word for a while –contemporary organic–I used that when my work was more nature based…
Hi
I also think the “elevator pitch” is so important too. We can think, ponder and take our time writing about our work, but when someone asks us what we paint or make, we have to be quick on our feet with something to say. Sometimes I worry I don’t sound confident about my work (ie fumbling for words) or worry about sounding redundant, so as to lose that person’s interest. In an artist’s statement you have time to describe your work and influences etc. but in a pitch it’s right down to the basics.This has been my experience.
Yeah–good idea to come up with a simple way to describe what you are doing–I even coined a word for a while –contemporary organic–I used that when my work was more nature based…
In gratitude, indeed. Right back atcha. This was excellent. Thank you.
You are welcome
In gratitude, indeed. Right back atcha. This was excellent. Thank you.
You are welcome
This is brilliant advice. You reminded me to read my artist statement that I published on my web site too many paintings ago. Its short and kinda pretty, but it really doesn’t say the things that are in my head and my heart. Your advice to think about that special person who is searching for more understanding about my work really hit the mark. And now that I think about it, I’m that curious person. When I find an artist whose work resonates, I dig deep to find any information for why their work creates such impact for me. Time for me to reciprocate. Thank you.
Great point Joyce, WE ARE also the audience–we know what to do if we can switch hats for a second–glad it helped..N
This is brilliant advice. You reminded me to read my artist statement that I published on my web site too many paintings ago. Its short and kinda pretty, but it really doesn’t say the things that are in my head and my heart. Your advice to think about that special person who is searching for more understanding about my work really hit the mark. And now that I think about it, I’m that curious person. When I find an artist whose work resonates, I dig deep to find any information for why their work creates such impact for me. Time for me to reciprocate. Thank you.
Great point Joyce, WE ARE also the audience–we know what to do if we can switch hats for a second–glad it helped..N
one of the best pieces of advice I ever received:
Artist statements should be : How, what, why…. written like you speak, and keep it BRIEF, one paragraph. This advice came from NYFA…. and they know what they are doing (New York Foundation of the Arts)
Wow-that is confirming–I felt a little opinionated but glad mine is shared! thanks for that
one of the best pieces of advice I ever received:
Artist statements should be : How, what, why…. written like you speak, and keep it BRIEF, one paragraph. This advice came from NYFA…. and they know what they are doing (New York Foundation of the Arts)
Wow-that is confirming–I felt a little opinionated but glad mine is shared! thanks for that
Perfect timing.. I’m working on my statements this week.
Perfect timing.. I’m working on my statements this week.