Your average length Artist’s Statement usually runs around 100-200 words. (Read “How to Write Your Artist’s Statement“). After you’ve written that, it’s a good exercise to pare it down for those times when you’ll need to be very concise. If you’ve entered any of the online art exhibitions I’ve curated on the Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS websites you know I have a special requirement not usually seen on applications: I ask you to write your artist’s statement in around 80 words. Depending on the exhibition I either ask for your general artist’s statement or one specifically related to the theme of the exhibition or a specific work of art.
Why Having An Artist’s Statement is Important
The artist’s statement is an essential art marketing tool. There are many benefits to having a well-written, concise Artist’s Statement which I go into detail in this article: How to Write Your Artist’s Statement: 28 Guidelines. Briefly, the Artist’s Statement offers you the opportunity to explain your creative process and inspiration, People who are attracted to your work will want to know more about the artist behind it. When you share your story succinctly it eliminates misinterpretation and confusion.
Why I Ask For Brief and Concise Artist’s Statements
When I provide career guidance as an artist consultant and coach I always begin the advice process by evaluating the art, artist’s statement, and artist’s biography.
There are several excellent reasons why I ask for an artist’s statement when promoting artists:
1. The exhibitions I curate attract the best and most talented artists from around the world and also the most experienced art enthusiasts. My goal is to select those artists who have the best artistic skills, unique creative vision, and an awareness about what they create, how and why.
2. Viewers of the online art exhibitions I curate told me they love to read the artist’s statements so they can connect with the artists more deeply. The accompanying statement helps artists attract collectors, dealers, grant givers, magazine writers, and many opportunities arise from having it.
3. It’s a fact that time spent reading the artist’s statement increases the bond between the viewer and artist and increases the chances for the artist to sell more artwork.
4. As a mentor for artists, my purpose is to help artists exercise their communication and marketing muscles that will help them achieve their fullest potential.
Learn From Artists Who Do it Right
Writing your artist’s statement takes practice. Many artists who write clearly about why they create the art they do have developed their verbal acumen through years of trial and error. They also learned to avoid the most common mistakes when writing artist’s statements such as grammatical errors, etc.
Writing your artist’s statement requires observation. Visit any of the online art exhibitions I’ve curated and read the statements that accompany the artwork. The artists are there because they submitted excellent artwork and also provided an articulate artist’s statement.
Here are links to our exhibitions where you can find the top award-winners:
Manhattan Arts International exhibitions
The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS exhibitions
Samples of Artist’s Statements by A Few Award-Winning Artists
Kari Bienert karibienert.com is a member of Manhattan Arts International and was also selected for an Award of Excellence in “The Healing Power of Art” exhibition. She submitted this statement: “My paintings are fields of color intertwined with geometric shapes, music and gentle brush strokes. Each color is a combination of many oil paints mixed rhythmically and placed intuitively. Painting connects me to unconscious worlds where new languages are discovered, new patterns emerge and a connection to nature heals and permeates my searching soul.”
Sandra Duran Wilson sandraduranwilson.com was selected for The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS “Inspirational Art in Mixed Media” online exhibition. When asked for a statement that expressed what she loves best about using mixed media she wrote, “My love of mixed media was born when as I child I learned both traditional landscape oil painting and crafts. The textures of wood, stone and clay enticed me, and I found adding them to my paintings enhanced the textural appeal. When I switched to acrylic painting, I discovered that I could easily add found objects, plant materials, drawing and photography to my paintings.”
Agnes Jorgensen jorgensenart.com won a Special Recognition Art Award in the Manhattan Arts International 2023 “HerStory” exhibition. She was also selected for “The Healing Power of ART: Resilience 2022” exhibition. About the topic she wrote “Resilience in its most basic form is strength during difficult times. Each day we are faced with decisions that we don’t always know the outcome. Art can inspire people to think about disaster risk and resilience in ways that science and numbers cannot. My inspiration for creating ‘Everyday Heroes’ (shown above) is to build awareness for communities who are facing increased risk from hazards and climate change.”
Statements from Famous Artists
“I borrow some subject or other from life or from nature, and using it as a pretext, I arrange lines and colors so as to obtain symphonies, harmonies that do not represent a thing that is real.”
~ Paul Gauguin
“I first block in the chosen scene or object with broad brushstrokes. Then I begin using brushes of diminishing sizes that are gradually reduced to the smallest sable point… that’s what takes forever – closing in on the minutest detail and still have it be part of the whole.” ~ Catherine Murphy
“I first make a maquette for any idea that I have for sculpture. The maquette is only three or four inches in size, and I can hold it my hand, turning it over to look at it from above, underneath, and in fact from every angle. Thus, from the very beginning I am working and thinking in three dimensions.” ~ Henry Moore
“My ideas come from reflecting on my life and the lives of people I have known and have been in some way inspired by. The story quilts grew out of my need to tell stories, not with pictures or symbols alone, but with words.” ~ Faith Ringgold
How to Test An Artist’s Statement
When you read an artist’s statement observe what, if any, visual images, thoughts or feelings arise. Do they complement and support the art images that accompany it? Obviously, words cannot replace images of the artwork, but they should produce insight about some of the artists’ intentions and artistic choices.
When you write your artist’s statement do it without self-judgment. Try to create mental pictures through your words. Read it aloud and share it with others. Ask them to test it. Have patience. It takes desire, practice and continuous self-reflection to do it well.
Why Artists Don’t Have Artist’s Statements
I know that thousands of artists want to learn how to write their artist’s statement. Some of the reasons why they don’t have one:
1. They don’t know how to write it.
2. They tried to write one, it was too difficult, so they gave up.
3. They don’t realize how important writing one is and the opportunities they’re passing up because they don’t have one.
4. They don’t know what their creative vision is, haven’t formulated one yet, or have more than one conflicting visions.
5. If they do have one that is poorly written they realize it’s better to not have one at all.
More Articles to Help You Write Your Artist’s Statement
How to Write Your Artist’s Statement
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Artist’s Statement
Fun Techniques to Help You Write Your Artist’s Statement
Art and Artist’s Statements – Quotes by Famous Artists
Would You Like An Art Review?
Many artists tell me when I write an Art Review for them they appreciate gaining insight about their artwork from an objective and professional perspective. This knowledge helps them to expand or improve their own Artist’s Statement.
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