It is no longer than a page and can be as short as one hundred words. How to write an artist statement flying arts alliance. Article summary a clear and intelligent artist s statement will make you stand out from the crowd and will show people that you are a thoughtful and deliberate artist. Its main purpose is to give the viewers or readers a complete understanding of the artists work and its concept statement. How to write your artists statement renee phillips. For many artists, its a difficult challenge to explain their visual work in words. In the current climate where many believe history has no relevance, i find myself continually returning to those aspects that are often.
True, she tells readers what an artist statement isnt. Need help writing, editing, revising or expanding your artist statement. Liz sales i write artist statement, set to be released in july 2018, references both literary and art trends within her series of. In gigi rosenbergs book the artists guide to grant writing, she recommends free writing.
Opportunities in the art world often begin with the artists own writing. Here are seven steps for writing a better artist statement, plus a checklist. Opportunities in the art world often begin with the artist s own writing. Writing my artist statement gave me a chance to focus on myself. Its about the current direction of your work, not a history of how you got to this point an explanation of your style, approach, philosophy, subject andor theme. You have to trust the author and just go though the silly exercises thoughalmost like taking a class and which the teacher seems to be asking you to do nonnonsensical. How to write an appealing artist biography artwork archive. An artist statement is a nottoolong series of sentences that describe what you make and why you make it. In case of an urgent paper, you can add the option of a featured order to speed up the process. People buy art because they have been touched, spoken to, inspired or elevated. It may include your personal history, the symbolism you give your materials, or the issues you address. Sample artist statementsbios full page artist statement.
In that respect, the thesisbychapter format may be advantageous, particularly for students pursuing a phd in the natural sciences, where the research content of a thesis consists of many discrete experiments. This article contains excerpts from how to write your artists statement, an ebook i wrote with easy stepbystep guidelines to help artists with this challenging task. Because the good news is, in spite of selfconscious objections about writing, artists can recover their own words. Try artist statement generator yourself at 500 letters. A general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project. Part of my process before i begin painting is to read as much as i can about the specific set.
Express the relevance and purpose of your work in one or two sentences. Smith, professor, pratt institute, brooklyn ny booksellers. Artist statement guidelines getting your sht together gystink. I use photography as a means of selfexpression i make pictures for myself, to identify with hidden qualities of my character, to better understand my reality, and to express my interpretation of the world. The focus of this book is on writing about someone elses art, but the appendix a short guide to usage and style. Amoroses artwrite workshop will provide crystal clear direction on how to write the artist statement and bio, plus guidance on writing for websites, proposals, press releases and cover letters. This article contains excerpts from how to write your artists statement, an e book i wrote with easy stepbystep guidelines to help artists with this challenging. The rules and principles most often violated in writing about art, can be helpful when writing about your art. Writing under pressure allows you to get something onto paper. Give yourself a prompt based on a question from the application. Guidelines for writing the artists statement should be at least three paragraphs in length one paragraph for each analytic method. What gallery owners really think about artist statements.
How to write an artist statement and effectively introduce your work to the world. Jul 23, 2016 these valuable tips along with an infographic for quick reference will help you in writing and perfecting your artists statement. Start your free 14day trial today, no credit card required. As the art industry expands, there is a growing demand for professionalism. Writing the artist statement by ariane goodwin this book really helped me and got me thinking about my artwork and writing about my artwork differently. An artist statement is a brief statement which tells us about the art. Not only does it serve as a base for your jewelry brand, artist statements are used as part of the application process for juried craft shows, in.
How to write an artists statement that doesnt suck online. A gallery dealer, curator, docent, or the public can have access to your description of your work, in your own words. I think of my installations as unfinished inventories of fragments. Revealing the true spirit of your work by goodwin, ariane abebooks. An artist statement would basically be what inspires you as an artist, or an expression of your creativity and purpose as an artist. Its important that you, as an artist, realize that the artist statement is a selling tool that allows your. An artist statement, on the other hand, is much more similar to your biography. How to write an artist statement and why its so important. This book was good for me to read, encouraging and fun to do. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. But, fair warning, it will not sound personal, nor will it sound like it applies to your art. Writing the artist statement ariane goodwin writing and editing.
My work for the past 20 years has used revealing aspects of history, which have a profound impact on our contemporary culture today. Obviously, if you are writing a fifty word statement and youre having to explain your artistic process as it reflects your experiences in the foundation program, you will mostly want. Gallery owners respect the professionalism of a good statement. Your statement is almost as equally important as your art piece. Now you get to pick the best ones to fulfill the very basic elements of an artist statement. These valuable tips along with an infographic for quick reference will help you in writing and perfecting your artists statement. Both pieces of text are part of a larger body of work the photographers portfolio. Artists statements vary in length, form, and substance.
See more ideas about art critique, teaching art and art classroom. How to write an artist bio or statement artist synergy. Unless you just use it as a starting point, like any sane artist would do, and personalize it before posting it. How to write an artists statement that doesnt suck. Often referencing american history, my work explores the varying relationships between popular culture and fine art. Make sure to state what medium you work in paintings, sculptures, installation, nonnarrative video, durational performance, etc. Artist statement generator 500 letters an interesting.
Kessler talks about writing the dreaded artist statement. I really liked this artist statement by elisa paloschil, so i used it as a form to build my artist statement around. Mar 22, 2018 an artist s statement is a short piece written by you, the creative mind behind it all, to accompany a particular painting or group of paintings. Jan 16, 2010 the information in this book is meant to supplement, not replace, proper name your sport training. A s a professional artist, you need to have more than your work to get around in the art world.
I write for artists all the time statements, essays, explanations, descriptions, whatever you need. It doesnt matter if you are a conceptual artist or not. Most commonly, statements introduce a specific collection of art. And write it as if you are writing a vision for a business statement. While it is possible that somewhere in a book or online there is. Writing an artist statement feature gallery direct article. Aug 16, 2015 and 500 letters artist statement generator mimics that language perfectly iae is in 500 letters generators core.
Build your professional portfolio website in minutes. Gyst submission policies, examples of artist statements, and writing tips are found below. Summarize the whole content of your artist statement in a short paragraph. More often than not, it is the front line of communication between an artist and the public. An artist statement is a comprehensible, descriptive and free composition which also acts as an introduction about a certain artwork that is usually displayed in front of the portrayed artists creation. Conclude it with your overall vision for your artwork. You can use it for galleries, press mentions, portfolios, applications and submissions. Revealing the true spirit of your work by ariane goodwin, ed. Written for the artist whos just starting out as well as the more seasoned artist who is looking. Your artist statement and images help them connect with you and your art. Writing the artist statement by ariane goodwin and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Revealing the true spirit of your work guides artists, of all genres, on how to smoke out the relevant ideas they already possess about their art. Writing an artist statement cleveland institute of arts writing center. The curriculum, based on vickis popular book, artwrite. To receive personal guidance writing an artist statement, reserve a place in amy touchettes upcoming workshop, writing an artist statement. The book offers a stepbystep approach to create a professional artist statement, with thinking and writing exercises to ease the process and develop authentic and clear content. This is a book to read and keep in any artists library for future reference. Sep 15, 2016 what is the difference between an artist biography, artist cv, and artist statement. A quick guide your artist statement is a written description of your work that gives your audience deeper insight into it. Its a sentiment you dont hear very often, and yet its what we found ourselves saying after reading the statements below. When it comes to writing an artists statement, there are no simple formulas. Not only does it serve as a base for your jewelry brand, artist statements are used as part of the application process for juried craft shows, in your website, and on marketing materials.
Sample artist statement as an artist, i work hard to develop paintings that speak both to me and to others about the beauty that exists in the ruins of ancient societies. The quandary is that artists are always asked to write statements about their art. Effective artist statements are written clearly and simply without the use of complicated terminology that will alienate a casual viewer who has no background or knowledge of art. Try to approach writing a statement as an invigorating challenge. Writing your statement can be a difficult process, but it is also an enormously valuable exercise as it can help you to achieve a greater understanding of yourself as an artist.
Sam durant my artwork takes a critical view of social, political and cultural issues. Writing an artist biography agora gallery advice blog. Its a standin for you, the artist, talking to someone about your work in a way that adds to their experience of viewing that work. Suddenly, you have a bunch of words describing your art. Liz sales i write artist statements printed matter. How to write an artist statement, quick and effective tips. Writing an artist statement can help others connect with your. How to write an artist statement explaining your art. The goal of an artist statement is to provide a context for the creation of the artwork, and to reveal a few relevant personal details about the artist. The writing guide for visual artists, includes helpful prompts, definitions and techniques. One way to look at it is as a biography, not of the artist, but of the artists work. Writing an artist statement writing an artist statement is one of the most important first things a home based jewelry business can do.
It also includes dozens of sample artists statements written by and about different artists who create art in different styles and mediums. It is usually written in what i would call flowery prose, meaning bigger and more unique words than one would normally use. And 500 letters artist statement generator mimics that language perfectly iae is in 500 letters generators core. A response to a specific inquiry by a gallery or collector a response to a particular grant proposal in conjunction with a curatorial statement or exhibition helps you talk intelligently talk about your work helps you articulate your influences, the sources for their imagery. Writing an artist statement home jewelry business guide. Writing an artist statement the what, how, and why of your work will draw art patrons closer to your work, even as it deepens your own awareness. In 20, she authored the book street art stories roma and most recently contributed to. Its a random word generator that will write your artists statement for you. Ariane goodwins writing the artist statement lacks any substance on how to actually write an artist statement. Your statement should include whatever is most important to you and your work. There is a long list of necessary and optional documents and exhibition materials, like an artist statement, business cards, a portfolio and. An artist statement should briefly describe how the artist works, and what their work means. It will be used when you submit your portfolio to competitions, galleries, and museums.
How to write an artist statement the creative independent. As one art educator asked her, goodness, what did you find to say for 142 pages. A good statement allows people who love your work to find out more about you, offers your audience more ways to connect with you, and increases their appreciation and perceived value of your work. Writing an artist s statement can be a good way to clarify your own ideas about your work. As an artist, you may find that art shows, exhibitions and other careeradvancing events require you to submit a proposal before your work is accepted. Writing any length of biography, whether it is a biographical research paper or a fulllength book, takes a great deal of research and fact checking. Artist statement guidelines getting your sht together. Along with your portfolio, you should have an artist statement available at a moments notice. You may also find yourself writing artistic grant proposals to secure funding for large projects. It is also common for people to confuse the biography with the statement, and some even confuse these texts with something like a cv, or an actual cv. Jan 11, 20 the book offers a stepbystep approach to create a professional artist statement, with thinking and writing exercises to ease the process and develop authentic and clear content.
An artist s statement shouldnt be dismissed as insignificant or dashed out in a hurry as its a vital selling tool, promoting and explaining your work to people looking at your paintings, whether theyre potential buyers, exhibition curators. As an artist, do you know how to present your work with clari. Writing an artist statement cleveland institute of art. Make it easy for them to fall in love with your work. Cartoon by bill watterson, july 15, 1995 hey, that was a good artist statement. The whole trackfrom beginning to endis a developmental sequence of information and exercises designed to ease you into writing an artist statement. Writing your artist statement page by margaret maggie brezden artist statement an artist statement is not only an essential part of an artist portfolio but may be required to accompany a particular artpiece or body of work. Its about the current direction of your work, not a history of how you got to this point an explanation of your style, approach, philosophy, subject andor theme a statement of your intention through yourread more.
An artists statement is the first bit of blurb you use to tell the world about your art and your philosophy, its an introduction in world, so you need to make it good and give people enough to. How to write an artists statement to accompany your paintings. Writing an artist statement artist statements can take many forms depending on their intended use. I use photography as a means of selfexpression i make pictures for myself, to identify with hidden qualities of my character, to better understand my reality, and to express.
Useful in writing a proposal for an exhibition or project. They are improvisational sites in which the constructed and the readymade are used to question our making of the world through language and knowledge. An artists statement would be more aptly titled, an artists art statement, for it is really the art itself that is being written about, not so much the artist. When i decided to market this book over the internet, i ended up learning so much that i found myself helping artists from all over the world. Like any sport involving speed, equipment, balance and environmental factors, this sport poses some inherent risk. Ariane goodwin in this book, there are three paths.
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