The biggest challenge facing any artist is a personal declaration of what they stand for. See it as a personal stamp that sets out for your viewers a type of Q&A about you and your art.
The Artist statement is an excellent marketing tool to promote you and your work to potential buyers, critics, fellow artists, and exhibition curators. It should be informative and offer an understanding of the artist in an easy, concise manner.
Here are some excellent ideas to help you get from a blank page to a fully, conversant statement:
Process
Begin with a rough draft, with details about you, your career, influences, education and current CV.
Two tips: keep everything in chronological order and topics together. So, for example, objectives and goals should be at the beginning, while interests and influences, experiences and activities, can be brought together.
Keep in mind you are writing for your followers and their interests, so ideas, topics and experiences can flow easily.
Always check your spelling and grammar, proofread it, get it checked by a friend and then save it. Your statement is complete.
If you’re having difficulty with filling in the gaps, here are some useful pointers:
1 – Describe your creative process and who inspires you. Why do you create and what does it mean to you?
2 – Describe your philosophy and passion, and address questions about your art
3 – Describe your art in words, such as what techniques, style and mediums are used
4 – Mention significant awards, exhibitions and important collections. And describe your future goals
5 – Keep the language simple, clear and concise.
6 – The next time you finish a piece of art write down one positive thought, one negative thought and one interesting thought you had during the creative process. Now file this for your next artist’s statement draft!
And here’s some tips on what shouldn’t be included:
1 – Remember this is an artist’s statement, not a resume, a biography, or a blow by blow account of your catalogue.
2 – Be straight and keep ideas flowing in themes, rather than jumping around.
3 – Cut the funny remarks, don’t be pretentious, or a diva but don’t be afraid to ask what the event, gallery or exhibition is looking for in a statement
A personal statement helps us stay current in an ever competitive, increasingly crowded market, so make sure it hits the right note. Having a good statement often cuts through the dross and makes the difference between getting accepted or rejected.
Want to learn more?
It’s as simple as 1… 2… 3…
- Just starting out? CLICK HERE
- Been working in your businessfor two years or more? CLICK HERE
- Try coworking at CoSydney – Check us out! Book a FREE TRIAL DAY
We’re here to help you to take action just like we’ve helped thousands of other entrepreneurs, business owers and creative professionals all around the globe.
Now is the time to let your passion SHINE.
Now is the time to Make Tomorrow Today!
To your success,
Vinh Van Lam & Stuart Horrex
Your Creative Coaches CoSydney & ArtSHINE
