great artist personal statement

Crafting Artistic Statements: 10 Powerful Examples & Guide

If you’ve been dreading writing your artist statement, you’re not alone. Although you love working on your artwork , coming up with an artist statement isn’t always easy.

But don’t fear! I’ll share some examples of famous artist statements here. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to write your own artist statement, what to include, and what to skip. 

So, let’s get started!

10 Excellent Artist Statement Examples

Here are ten great artist statement examples you can use for inspiration! Looking at good artist statements can help you decide what to include in your own. But don’t feel like you should copy a sample artist statement – remember to make it unique and personal! 

1. Wassily Kandinsky

“I let myself go. I thought little of the houses and trees, but applied color stripes and spots to the canvas… Within me sounded the memory of the early evening in Moscow – before my eyes were the strong, color-saturated scale of the Munich light and atmosphere, which thundered deeply in the shadows.”

2. Gustav Klimt

“I have never painted a self-portrait. I am less interested in myself as a subject for a painting than I am in other people, above all women… There is nothing special about me. I am a painter who paints day after day from morning to night… Whoever wants to know something about me… ought to look carefully at my pictures.”

3. Mark Rothko

“I’m not interested in relationships of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on – and the fact that lots of people break down and cry when confronted with my pictures shows that I communicate those basic human emotions… The people who weep before my pictures are having the same religion I had when I painted them.”

4. Edvard Munch

“I was walking along a path with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there were blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.”

5. Pablo Picasso

“I have never made trials or experiments. Whenever I had something to say, I have said it in the manner in which it needed to be said… I can hardly understand the importance given to the word “research” in connection with the modern painting. In my opinion to search means nothing in painting. To find is the thing.”

6. Jackson Pollock

“I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them. It doesn’t matter how the paint is put on, as long as something is said. On the floor, I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting. When I’m painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing. It’s only after a get-acquainted period that I see what I’ve been about. I’ve no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own.”

7. Nancy McIntyre

“What do I want to say with my art? Celebrate the human, the marks people make on the world. Treasure the local, the small-scale, the eccentric, the ordinary: whatever is made out of caring. Respect what people have built for themselves. Find the beauty in some battered old porch or cluttered, human-scale storefront, while it still stands.”

8. Duane Keiser

“My subject matter tends to be those fragmentary passages that reside within the mundane – the in-between spaces of our lives that we see but often do not notice. For me, these paintings are about the pleasure of seeing; of being cognizant of the world around me, and pushing to find an alchemy between the paint, my subject, and the moment. I view each piece as being part of a single, ongoing work.”

9. Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz

“My subject matter is nature, whether it is a traditional landscape or a bird and flower painting. I use traditional materials, ink, and brush on rice paper, to capture movement and life — making the brush dance and the ink sing. Everything is captured in the spontaneous dance and movement of the brush as it meets the rice paper. There is no going back and correcting when painting with ink and rice paper.”

10. Georgia O’Keeffe 

“I have but one desire as a painter – that is to paint what I see, as I see it, in my own way, without regard for the desires or taste of the professional dealer or the professional collector. I attribute what little success I have to this fact. I wouldn’t turn out stuff for order, and I couldn’t. It would stifle any creative ability I possess.”

What is an Artist Statement?

Every artist needs to write an artist statement at some point. But, what is it exactly?

An artist statement gives insight into the artist’s process and creative decisions. It can also explain the themes, ideas, and vision of the artist. You can think of it as an initial introduction to yourself and your work to give a great first impression!

Artist statements officially date back to the 1990s . But while they haven’t been around a long time, artists have always tried to define and explain their work. 

These statements can vary in length from a few sentences to a page or more. Each statement will differ, but you want yours to be memorable and easy to understand.

Most importantly, it should help people to understand your work.

Artist statements are used for many reasons. You may use yours when applying for grants, submitting a portfolio, or for PR and press mentions.  It can also appear on your website. 

So, it’s an essential document you’ll need to create. It’s key to growing your following and building a successful career as an artist. 

Writing an artist statement can also help you to get clear on your overall vision and values. You might need to spend some time reflecting on what your art means to you.

And yes, it does mean you’ll have to put down the paintbrush briefly. But with these tips, you’ll know exactly how to write your artist statement. 

Once it’s written, you can use the same statement again and again. If your artwork evolves over time, you may want to update it slightly. But you’ll have already done the hard work researching, planning, and writing it.

How to Write an Artist Statement

Writing an artist statement sounds daunting, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. 

Here are my simple steps for crafting an engaging and effective artist statement! These tips will take you from a bland statement to an amazing artist’s mission statement.

Use simple language

Don’t overcomplicate your statement or use very academic language. That can put people off reading it. Your statement must be powerful and accessible to everyone.

Use active voice and 1st person perspective

I always recommend using the active voice as it comes across as more confident and powerful. Avoid wishy-washy phrases like:

• I want to … in my work

Instead, switch it to active voice. Instantly, you’ll have a more interesting and captivating statement. 

Using 1st person perspective also ensures that your statement is clear and direct. 

Keep it short and sweet

You want to grab the reader’s attention and hold their interest. Avoid an artist statement that is several paragraphs (or pages!) long. A short artist statement is more powerful. So, it should be concise and to the point, without any filler. 

Condense what you want to say down into as little as possible without losing the meaning. Your artist statement should be short enough to quote! 

Ask yourself questions

Your statement allows you to provide a greater understanding of your creative choices. It can give a window into your thought process, so people can take more from your art.

But you need to ensure you include this information in your statement. Otherwise, you’re missing an opportunity. 

One effective method is to think about what people might want to know from you. What questions do you get asked in interviews?

Here are a few questions you could ask yourself:

• What do you want to achieve with your art?
• How do you create your artwork?
• What type of artist am I?
• How does the process, medium, or technique affect the work?
• What does the reader need to know to understand your artwork?
• What emotions do you want to invoke in the reader?
• Who has influenced you in your artistic career, and particularly in this work?
• Who or what are you addressing in this artwork?
• What else do you want your audience to know?
• How does this work relate to your other works?
• What is your art philosophy?
• How does your artwork fit into the history of art?

Don’t worry – you don’t have to answer all these questions in your statement. You can decide which ones make sense. Remember that short and sweet is better than long and dry – you want to get people interested in you!

Once you’ve identified what people want to know about you and your art, you can consider your responses. 

Do your research

A great way to get inspiration for your artist statement is by looking at other examples. You can read up on how the old masters or contemporary artists describe their work. 

Doing some research will help you understand how to structure your statement. It can also give you food for thought to delve deeper into the meanings of your artwork, too! 

If you’re still struggling, there are artist statement templates you can use to get you started. A template will help you build your statement’s structure so that you can concentrate on the details. 

Step away and come back later to edit

It’s easy to get caught up in the details and overthink something as important as an artist’s statement. This document is meaningful and may provoke lots of thoughts or emotions. 

If you find yourself writing and editing, again and again, take some time to step away. Any piece of writing benefits from a fresh eye. When you work on something for a long time, it’s easy to miss any minor details or mistakes.

I always recommend coming back another day to read through and make any final changes. 

The Wrap Up

Writing your artist statement doesn’t have to be a painstaking process. Now, you’ve had a look at some great artist statements. With these simple tips, you’re all set to craft your own statement now! 

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Go ahead and share your artist statement once you’ve written it, too! 

Follow me on Pinterest for more tips, guides, and tutorials for creative professionals! 

Outmane is the founder of Proactive Creative. He is an artist/designer.

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7 Powerful Artist Statement Examples and How to Write Your Own

In the vast and dynamic realm of art, where colors collide and ideas flourish, artist statements stand as pillars of insight, offering glimpses into the creative minds behind the masterpieces. These succinct narratives not only provide context but also serve as bridges between the artist and their audience, fostering deeper connections and understanding.

Crafting an  effective artist statement  is akin to distilling the essence of one’s artistic vision into a few carefully chosen words. It’s about articulating the driving forces, inspirations, and intentions behind each stroke of the brush or every captured moment in a photograph.

Throughout this post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of  artist statements , exploring their significance in the  art world  and uncovering the nuances of crafting statements that resonate with viewers. From understanding the fundamentals to analyzing real-life examples, we’ll equip you with the tools and insights needed to craft your own compelling artist statement. So, whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to refine your statement or a newcomer eager to embark on this creative journey, prepare to unlock the power of words in the realm of art.

Artist statements  serve as windows into the creative process, offering insights into the motivations, inspirations, and philosophies that drive an artist’s work. At their core, these statements are concise narratives crafted by artists to accompany their artwork, providing context and depth to the pieces they create.

What is an artist statement?

An  artist statement  is a written declaration that provides insight into an artist’s practice, influences, and thematic concerns. It serves as a bridge between the artist and the audience, offering a glimpse into the conceptual framework underlying their work. While the format may vary—from a brief paragraph to a longer essay—the essence remains the same: to articulate the artist’s intent and provide context for their creations.

The Significance of Artist Statements

Artist statements  play a pivotal role in the art world, serving as guideposts for viewers navigating the intricate landscapes of galleries and exhibitions. They offer viewers a roadmap, illuminating the themes, techniques, and ideas that inform the artwork on display. Moreover, these statements facilitate a deeper engagement with the artwork, fostering meaningful connections between the artist’s vision and the viewer’s interpretation.

Conveying intent and connecting with the audience

Central to the effectiveness of  artist statements  is their ability to convey the artist’s intent and establish a connection with the audience. Through thoughtful reflection and introspection, artists articulate the driving forces behind their creative endeavors, allowing viewers to glimpse the stories behind the artwork. By sharing personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, or technical insights, artists forge a bond with viewers, inviting them to partake in the rich tapestry of artistic expression.

Importance of Clear, Concise Language and the Active Voice

Clarity and conciseness are paramount when crafting  artist statements . Artists must distill their ideas into succinct, accessible language that resonates with viewers of varying backgrounds. Furthermore, employing the active voice imbues statements with immediacy and authority, compelling viewers to engage with the artist’s narrative. By eschewing jargon and academic language, artists ensure that their statements are accessible to a wide audience, inviting individuals from all walks of life to explore and appreciate their work.

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Crafting Your Artist Statement

Crafting an  artist statement  is an art form in itself, requiring a delicate balance of introspection, clarity, and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a newcomer to the craft, honing your statement-writing skills can elevate your work and deepen your connection with your audience.

Emphasizing first-person and active voice

First person  and  active voice  are powerful tools in crafting an engaging artist statement. By speaking directly to the viewer, using “I” or “we,” artists establish a personal connection, inviting viewers into their world and sharing their artistic journey. Similarly, employing the active voice infuses statements with energy and vitality, propelling the narrative forward and capturing the viewer’s attention. So, instead of saying, “The artwork was created,” opt for “I created this artwork,” injecting agency and authenticity into your statement.

Tips for Identifying and Articulating Subject Matter and Themes

Identifying and articulating the  subject matter  and  themes  of your work is essential for crafting a compelling artist statement. Begin by reflecting on the recurring motifs, symbols, or narratives present in your artwork. What themes resonate most deeply with you? What subjects do you find yourself returning to time and again? Once you’ve identified these elements, articulate them clearly and concisely in your statement, providing insight into the inspiration and intention behind your creations.

Exploring the creative process

The  creative process  lies at the heart of every artwork, serving as the catalyst for expression and exploration. In your artist statement, delve into the nuances of your creative journey, from the initial spark of inspiration to the final brushstroke or shutter click. Share anecdotes, insights, and reflections that illuminate your process, allowing viewers to glimpse the magic unfolding behind the scenes. Whether you embrace meticulous planning or revel in spontaneous experimentation, convey your process with passion and authenticity, inviting viewers to join you on this transformative journey.

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Using Examples for Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from  artist statement examples  can be a transformative journey, offering insights into different approaches, styles, and voices within the art world. By exploring a diverse array of statements, artists can glean valuable lessons and techniques to inform their own practice while staying true to their unique artistic vision.

A Showcase of Seven Powerful Artist Statement Examples

• Surrealism Unleashed : Dive into the enigmatic world of surrealism with artist X’s statement, where dreams intertwine with reality and the subconscious takes center stage.
• Abstract Expressions : Explore the dynamic interplay of color, form, and emotion in artist Y’s statement as they navigate the boundless realms of abstraction with bold strokes and daring compositions.
• Photographic Narratives : Step into the captivating narratives captured by artist Z, whose photography transcends mere documentation to evoke powerful emotions and stories untold.
• Minimalist Manifesto : Experience the quiet eloquence of minimalist art through artist A’s statement, where simplicity reigns supreme and every line and space speaks volumes.
• Nature’s Symphony : Immerse yourself in the harmonious landscapes depicted in artist B’s statement, where the beauty of the natural world is captured in every brushstroke and hue.
• Cultural Reverie : Journey through artist C’s statement, where cultural heritage and identity intertwine to create evocative works that resonate across time and space.
• Mixed Media Magic : Delve into the eclectic world of mixed media art with artist D’s statement, where disparate elements converge to form captivating narratives and textures.

Analysis of Strengths and Unique Qualities

• Clarity and Cohesion : Each example exhibits clarity and cohesion, effectively conveying the artist’s intent and thematic concerns in a concise and accessible manner.
• Authentic Voice : From surrealism to minimalism, each statement reflects the artist’s authentic voice and vision, imbuing their work with a sense of authenticity and originality.
• Emotional Resonance : Whether through bold abstraction or serene landscapes, the examples evoke powerful emotions and invite viewers to engage with the artwork on a deeper level.

Drawing Inspiration While Maintaining Authenticity

As you explore these  artist statement examples , take note of the techniques, themes, and voices that resonate with you personally. While drawing inspiration from others is invaluable, remember to stay true to your own artistic vision and voice. Your statement should reflect who you are as an artist, capture the essence of your work, and invite viewers into your unique creative world. So, let these examples spark your imagination and fuel your creativity, but always remember to forge your own path and tell your own story.

How to Write Your Own Artist Statement

Crafting your  artist statement  is a deeply personal and introspective process, requiring careful consideration and reflection. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of writing a compelling statement that captures the essence of your work and resonates with your audience.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Artistic Journey

Begin by taking some time to reflect on your artistic journey. Consider the themes, motifs, and techniques that define your work. What inspires you? What messages or emotions do you hope to convey through your art? Jot down your thoughts and feelings in a journal or notebook, allowing your ideas to flow freely without judgment.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Free Write

Next, engage in  free writing  and brainstorming to generate ideas for your artist statement. Set aside some time to write without constraints, allowing your thoughts to unfold naturally on the page. Write down anything that comes to mind, from personal anecdotes to philosophical musings, exploring different aspects of your artistic practice and vision.

Step 3: Define Your Themes and Intentions

As you review your free writing and brainstorming sessions, identify the recurring themes, motifs, and intentions that emerge. What are the driving forces behind your work? What messages or concepts do you wish to communicate to your audience? Define these themes and intentions clearly, articulating them in your artist statement with precision and clarity.

Step 4: Craft Your Statement with Clarity and Conciseness

With your themes and intentions in mind, begin crafting your artist statement with clarity and conciseness. Start by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your artistic practice. Then, delve into the themes, motifs, and intentions that define your work, using clear and accessible language to convey your ideas to your audience. Remember to use the  first-person  and  active voice  to engage your readers and imbue your statement with authenticity and immediacy.

Step 5: Seek Feedback and Refinement

Once you’ve drafted your artist statement, seek feedback from peers, mentors, or trusted individuals in your artistic community. Share your statement with them and ask for their honest impressions and suggestions for improvement. Consider their feedback carefully, and be open to making revisions that strengthen and clarify your statement. By seeking outside perspectives, you can refine your statement and ensure that it resonates with your audience effectively.

Step 6: Finalize and Share Your Statement

After incorporating feedback and making any necessary revisions, finalize your artist statement and prepare to share it with the world. Consider including it in your online portfolio, exhibition materials, or artist website, where it can serve as a powerful introduction to your work for viewers and collectors alike. Be proud of your statement and the journey it represents, knowing that it captures the essence of your artistic vision and invites others to join you on your creative journey.

Navigating the world of  artist statements  can raise many questions. Here, we address some common queries to help demystify the process and empower you to craft a statement that captures the essence of your artistic vision.

How long should an artist statement be?

Artist statements  should be concise yet comprehensive, typically ranging from a few sentences to a short paragraph. Aim to convey your ideas and intentions clearly and succinctly, avoiding unnecessary verbosity.

What tone should I adopt in my artist statement?

The tone of your  artist statement  should reflect your artistic voice and the nature of your work. Whether it’s introspective and contemplative or bold and expressive, strive for a tone that resonates with your artistic vision and connects with your audience.

Who is my audience when writing an artist statement?

Your  audience  for an artist statement may vary, ranging from art collectors and gallery owners to fellow artists and art enthusiasts. Tailor your statement to appeal to a broad audience while staying true to your unique artistic perspective and vision.

How can I overcome writer’s block when crafting my artist statement?

To overcome  writer’s block , try engaging in  free writing  or brainstorming exercises to generate ideas. Take breaks to refresh your mind and return to your statement with a fresh perspective. Additionally, seek inspiration from other artists’ statements and draw upon personal experiences and reflections to fuel your creativity.

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Crafting an  artist statement  is an art form in itself, requiring introspection, clarity, and authenticity. By following the steps outlined in this post and drawing inspiration from the provided examples, you can craft a statement that captures the essence of your artistic vision and resonates deeply with your audience.

Embrace the power of words to convey your ideas and intentions, and remember the importance of authenticity and clarity in connecting with your audience. Whether you’re a seasoned artist refining your statement or a newcomer embarking on this creative journey, seize the opportunity to share your story and invite others into your world of artistry. Start crafting your own artist statement today, and let your voice be heard in the vibrant tapestry of the art world.

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8 Artist Statements We Love

• August 24, 2015
• Artful Resources
• artist's statement

“Hey, that was a good artist statement!”

It’s a sentiment you don’t hear very often, and yet it’s what we found ourselves saying after reading the statements below. Artist statements don’t have to be a source of fear (for the writer) and boredom (for the reader)! See a few examples of strong artist statements below, and below that, a discussion of what makes them good.

Andy Yoder, sculptor:  “Many people take great comfort in the bathroom towels being the same color as the soap, toilet paper, and tiles. It means there is a connection between them, and an environment of order. Home is a place not only of comfort, but of control. This sense of order, in whatever form it takes, acts as a shield against the unpredictability and lurking chaos of the outside world.

My work is an examination of the different forms this shield takes, and the thinking that lies behind it. I use domestic objects as the common denominators of our personal environment. Altering them is a way of questioning the attitudes, fears and unwritten rules which have formed that environment and our behavior within it.”

Nancy McIntyre, silk screen artist: “I like it when a place has been around long enough that there is a kind of tension between the way it was originally designed to look and the way it looks now, as well as a tension between the way it looks to whoever is caring for it and the way it looks to me. Trouble is, the kinds of places I find most appealing keep getting closed or torn down.

What do I want to say with my art?

Celebrate the human, the marks people make on the world. Treasure the local, the small-scale, the eccentric, the ordinary: whatever is made out of caring. Respect what people have built for themselves. Find the beauty in some battered old porch or cluttered, human-scale storefront, while it still stands.”

(Was this post helpful? For more resources, subscribe to The Art League Blog newsletter here or check out our Artful Resources archive .)

Dawn Benedetto, jeweler:  “Poppi is my fun and clever alter ego. It’s a line of jewelry that doesn’t take life too seriously. The glass and sterling rings are my invention and are unique in that they stretch to fit most everyone. Poppi adds a splash of color to jeans or an extra spark to ignite a little black dress; heck, it’ll even brighten up a trip to the grocery store.

If nothing else, it’s a statement. Poppi laughs. Poppi flirts. Poppi screams. Poppi says it all without you saying a thing.”

Diana Chamberlain, ceramicist: “I work in porcelain for its suppleness, delicacy and strength. Porcelain’s willingness to be transformed, both in form and texture, makes it a perfect medium for exploring the iconic meaning of dress and the concept of shelter.”

Margaret Cerutti, painter: “Capturing the light is everything! As a plein air painter, it is always the light that I remember most about any location. It is my inspiration.

Its elusive quality can transform a figure or a landscape in just a matter of seconds. I strive to convey that sense of place by capturing its fleeting magic.”

Alison Sigethy, glass artist: “Getting outside is good for the soul. Through my artwork, I try to bring the outside in. While I make no attempt to portray actual plants or animals, I do want my creations to look like they could have lived or grown somewhere. Living with beautiful objects that pay tribute to the natural world reminds us to slow down and helps us reconnect with nature.”

Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz, sumi-é artist: “My subject matter is nature, whether it is a traditional landscape or a bird and flower painting. I use traditional materials, ink and brush on rice paper, to capture movement and life — making the brush dance and the ink sing. Everything is captured in the spontaneous dance and movement of the brush as it meets the rice paper. There is no going back and correcting when painting with ink and rice paper.”

Pete McCutchen, photographer: “I decontextualize. Then, I reconstruct.

Looking past the obvious, close observation and engagement of the subject is my process. The challenge is to see beyond the distraction of the conspicuous to capture its unique self. Some of my subjects are quite beautiful, others less so. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to look more carefully at the world around them, to discover beauty in unusual places.”

So what makes these artist statements work?

What these artist statements do

• keep it short
• grab the reader’s interest with the first sentence
• introduce the author’s personality and enthusiasm
• give a hint about the why of the artwork
• use the first person (I, me, mine — this is not a strict rule, but it does seem to help the author write a more straightforward, readable statement)

What these artist statements don’t do

• summarize the resume found elsewhere on the website
• give a physical description of artwork photographed elsewhere on the website
• sound generic
• use “art speak”

Some questions to think about when writing your statement

• What keeps you coming back to the studio, day after day?
• What’s the best way someone has responded to your artwork (comment in a guest book, at an exhibit, etc.)
• What questions are you asked most frequently about your work?
• What’s your artist story? (as opposed to your biography and CV)
• Who is your art for?

More resources

Telling your story, and your artwork’s story, increases its value. Here are some other blog posts you might be interested in:

• How to Create an Artist Website
• The Zero-Budget Guide to Photographing Artwork
• Email Newsletters for Artists in Three Steps
• Starting an Artist Blog
• What To Post (and What Not To) As an Artist on Social Media
• 33 Ideas for Artists’ Pinterest Boards

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How to write an artist statement

I like to think of the artist statement as the wedding toast of the art world. If you wing it, suddenly you’re on the spot in front of a crowd of expectant faces, trying to put into words a relationship (between you and your art) that you’ve always felt intuitively. We’ve all seen those toasts. They don’t go well.

But if you put time and energy into crafting your message beforehand, you’ll actually add to that crowd’s understanding of the significance of this event (your art) and help them feel all the feels more deeply.

I’ve been wrestling with my own artist statements for as long as I’ve been making art. And I must confess, it’s never a task I look upon with glee. This, despite the fact that I write about art for a living. But reading other people’s statements has taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t, and how to reverse-engineer a killer toast: a clear, concise and compelling artist statement.

— Artist and writer Sarah Hotchkiss

First things first: What is an artist statement?

In the interest of clarity, let’s define “artist statement,” since I’ve already needlessly complicated things by introducing a wedding metaphor into the mix.

An artist statement is a not-too-long series of sentences that describe what you make and why you make it. It’s a stand-in for you, the artist, talking to someone about your work in a way that adds to their experience of viewing that work.

Here are a few things an artist statement is not: a manifesto, an art history lecture, a story about discovering art, short fiction, self-psychoanalysis, a string of adjectives, a grand theory of everything you’ve ever made, or a list of your career accomplishments.

You’ll be called upon to submit artist statements when you apply for residencies, grants, and sometimes, exhibition opportunities. I wrote my first substantial one when I applied to MFA programs. And here’s the secret: even though they can be hard to write, they’re immensely useful. It truly helps me understand my own practice to sit down every few months and translate this nonverbal solitary thing I spend countless hours on into words for a specific audience.

If you’re reading this guide and it’s not the night before an important application is due, you’re already in good shape. Artist statements take time, but they don’t have to be torture. If you can get into the habit of stepping back, evaluating your work, and writing a few sentences about it, you won’t have to start from scratch when you’re down to the wire.

The brainstorming phase

All that said, sitting down and writing clear, concise, and compelling sentences about your art is daunting. So don’t start with sentences. Ease your way into it with a writing exercise that feels exciting, or generative, or natural to you. A few suggestions:

Gather your art in one digital or physical space and really look at it. It’s possible you’ve been working on such a micro level you haven’t taken a macro view in a while. What commonalities and differences do you see? Think holistically about a specific body of art.

Write out a list of adjectives that describe your work. Use both visual and tonal descriptors. Be specific and avoid art jargon. If your art follows in the footsteps of minimalism, could you describe it as quiet? Or rhythmic? Is your work funny, raunchy, messy?

Record yourself describing your art to a friend, family member, or fellow artist. Chances are you’re making statements about your work all the time. Have a studio visit coming up? Record the conversation (with the other person’s permission), transcribe the audio, and mine it for pertinent details.

Think about the emotions and reactions you want your audience to come away with. An artist’s intent may have little bearing on an audience’s interpretation, but an artist statement is one of the few places you get to nudge that audience towards your desired result. Do they learn something from your art or make new connections between disparate subjects? Are you trying to make people feel agitated, joyful, incensed?

Write a casual letter to your best friend about what you’ve been up to in the studio. “Dear Laurie, today I spent five hours papier-mâché-ing a cardboard version of a hamster toy. It came out looking like a first-grader’s craft project, but that’s what I was going for. I think it’ll make you laugh.”

Jeopardy your practice. What are the questions you hope to answer in your work?

Artist statement basics

Suddenly, you have a bunch of words describing your art. Now you get to pick the best ones to fulfill the very basic elements of an artist statement: what, why, and (possibly) how.

What. Make sure to state what medium you work in (paintings, sculptures, installation, non-narrative video, durational performance, etc.). It’s amazing how many statements don’t include that basic fact.

Why. Try not to overthink this one. Look back at your brainstorms and your casual conversations. You make this work because you’re excited about it. What, exactly, are you excited about? Be confident: Your art shouldn’t “hope” or “try” to do something to the viewer, it should just do it. Here is where you can also bring up, without going too far into the art historical weeds, your influences and inspirations.

How. If you have a truly unique process that’s important to understand—or one that images can’t accurately convey—briefly describe how you make your work. (Please note: Collage is not a unique process and there’s no inventive way to describe it as such, even if you use the word “juxtapose.”)

Beyond fulfilling these basic “what, why, and how” requirements, an artist statement can be relayed in whatever tone and sentence structure feels best to you. (I encourage the use of full sentences, as fragments sound flighty.)

That’s it! Really!

Red flags, bad practices, and other traps to avoid

In my many years of reading artist statements (and gallery press releases), I’ve developed an ever-growing list of banned words and phrases. While these ways of writing may sound fancy, they’re actually empty. And using them makes a piece of writing look lazy and nonspecific. Artist statements are particularly susceptible to these traps because we write what we think people want to hear instead of what’s actually true to our work.

Your artist statement should feel like it’s written by you, the artist—not by a critical theorist or an art history professor or a dealer or a curator. The people reading it are looking for an enriched experience of your work and proof that you’ve put some thought into what you’re making. They want to hear your voice—not that of some formulaic art-jargon robot.

So, some things to avoid:

Extreme binaries. Is your work really “examining the strangeness of both interior and exterior spaces?” Is it “both casual and formal?” “Light and dark?” (Similarly, ask yourself, is your work truly “blurring the boundaries between text and subtext?”)

Lazy clichés. Only you make your artwork—so shouldn’t the words you use to describe it be unique and specific as well? If you find yourself using certain words as crutches, or as highfalutin stand-ins for hard-to-articulate ideas, I highly recommend creating your own “banned words” list and keeping it somewhere handy. Then, go back to your brainstorm notes and pick out words or phrases that feel concise, fresh, and truly related to your work.

“International Art English.” Chances are you’ve seen it, read it, and felt unsettled by it in press releases, wall labels, and other people’s artist statements. This muddled and imprecise language seeks to elevate what it describes through nonspecific word choices, invented “spaces” (the space of the real, the space of the dialectical), and complicated grammatical structures. For an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon, propagated most intensely by the art world announcement email service e-flux, please see this fantastic article in Triple Canopy .

False range. Does your practice “range from drawing to sculpture to video to artist books” or do you simply make “drawings, sculptures, videos, and artist books?” False range is a rampant and completely accepted form of writing these days, but the discerning reader will notice it and judge you for it. A false range creates a continuum between one thing and another when there is no actual continuum. Yes, your palette can “range from blues to reds” (color is a spectrum). But your influences cannot include “everything from Wanda Sykes’ stand-up to Tamagotchi pets to tinsel” (there is no middle point between Tamagotchi and tinsel).

Theory. My extremely wise friend and colleague Bean Gilsdorf, longtime art world advice-giver, says this best: “Art theory only has a place in an artist statement if it has a direct bearing on your day-to-day studio practice. Otherwise, skip it.”

You have a draft, now what?

You’ve brainstormed, you’ve answered the what and the why. You’ve avoided all of the above. But chances are you still have a lot of extra baggage in that statement, or it’s not striking quite the right tone, or you feel like it could be more fun to read. Now you get to edit, revise, tweak, trim, and whip that statement into shape.

Read your statement out loud. Trust me, this works. As you read, ask yourself: Is it accurate? Is it descriptive? Is it compelling? Is it me ? Could this statement just as easily be applied to someone else’s work? Make sure it’s specific to what you make—and provides a sense of who you are to the reader.

Look at your art while you reread. Remember, your artist statement should be current . You don’t need to sum up a wide-ranging practice from the beginning of your baby artist days to the present moment. It should reflect whatever images you’re providing alongside it. Put another way, your artist statement shouldn’t be so aspirational that you talk about making room-sized installations while your images are a few small-scale watercolors.

Work it into submission. Read aloud, edit. Read aloud, edit. Take a break (a day, a week), come back to it, read it aloud and ask the above questions again. Remember that this doesn’t have to represent your work forever and ever. Like the U.S. Constitution, an artist statement is a living document. You can update it as often as you like.

Shorter is better. Being economical with words proves you know what you’re doing, that you’re confident in your work, and that you don’t have to couch it in elaborate language to legitimize it. Your statement should be somewhere between 100 and 300 words in length. (This is an example of true range.)

Consider your audience

The tone that you strike in an artist statement for a local group show should probably be different from an artist statement you write for a $100,000 grant opportunity. Every time you start reworking your statement, remember to ask yourself who or what this particular piece of text is for. Write a basic statement that can serve as the foundation for all future artist statements, but make sure you revisit and reevaluate for each application, exhibition, and request.

In order to truly know how your artist statement will be received, and if it’s doing the work you want it to do, you need to have other people read it. I recommend finding a diverse audience of art friends and non-art friends, family, and mentors. This statement should be as legible as possible. Tell them to be brutally honest with you and listen to what they say.

Have a writer friend read your statement for typos. Have someone else read it for typos. Triple-check for typos!

And most importantly, give the people you ask for feedback enough time to read your statement and reply to you. Do not do this: “Hiiiii, this is due in an hour can you look it over for me pls thx bye!”

In summary…

As those who exercise say: no pain, no gain. Statements are hard to write, but they’re good for you. They can help someone gain a deeper understanding of your art, feel more connected to that art and, ultimately, value it. They can make or break an application. And they can help you put words to your practice, giving you the language to understand just what you’re doing and why it’s amazing.

Sarah Hotchkiss

Sarah Hotchkiss is an artist and writer in San Francisco. Since 2015, she’s been the visual arts editor for KQED, the Bay Area’s NPR and PBS affiliate, covering the local visual arts and film scene in online articles. Before wading into the earnest waters of public media, she worked as the communications director for the venerable San Francisco arts nonprofit Southern Exposure. And before that she wrote condition reports in a warehouse that stored Indiana Jones -level amounts of art. She holds an M.F.A. from California College of the Arts and a B.A. from Brown University. In addition to her own studio practice, she watches a lot of science fiction, which she reviews in a semi-regular publication called Sci-Fi Sundays .

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Write the Perfect Artist Statement

Writing an artist statement can seem daunting. In a visual profession, having to explain your work in writing can feel gratuitous. But a compelling artist statement is essential to your career as an artist. What’s more, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on your practice, appreciate the value of your art and tackle anything that isn’t working.

With Artweb’s comprehensive guide, drafting an artist statement has never been easier.

What is an artist statement?

An artist statement sets out your unique philosophy as an artist in no more than 300 words (and sometimes as few as 150). It offers insight into your work, in your own words. It also provides context for your art and enhances the viewer’s experience.

A concise artists statement may reside on a gallery wall at the start of your exhibition, on the opening page of a catalogue or on your website.

Why do you need an artist statement?

When done well, an artist statement can turn something simple into something serious and valuable, worthy of exhibition and purchase.  Your statement really is that important.

An artist statement fulfills the demands of many audiences. It is how you communicate your ideas and philosophy to viewers. Those viewers include potential galleries, the general public looking at an exhibition of your work, and academics considering you for a grant or residency. It may also form the basis of your online presence.

The chances are you will need to edit your statement for different audiences, but begin with one master statement that can be revised for varying purposes. If you went to art school, you probably practiced writing one over and over, honing it until it was good enough to impress lecturers and examiners.  But the habit can quickly erode.  If you are self-taught , it may be something you have never tried or don’t fully understand. 

Note that an artist statement is not an artist’s CV.  Your resume or CV will list your education and achievements in the same way all professional resumes do.

What to include in an artist statement

The recipe for the perfect artist statement is made up of three basic ingredients: the what, the how and the why.

Get to the point. Detail the medium of your work, key themes and ideas, and a brief description of what your art feels like. But remember, you are not providing a physical description of your work. That is evident in the work itself.

“I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me – but I’ll paint it huge so they’ll be startled and take the time to look at it.” Georgia O’Keefe

Tackle your process. Here, you’ll describe the materials you use and how you approach your research. You can also address any other unique elements such as collaboration with others or working in the public realm. You could use this section to describe an example of your work that demonstrates what you have discussed so far, something that encompasses your key themes and materials.

“I don’t manipulate or play with space. I declare it. It is by my declaration that my paintings become full.” Barnett Newman, star of the New York School of Painters

What motivates and drives you to create the work you do? Is it external or internal. This can be the hardest element of a statement to write, as it is often just a “feeling.” Your statement needs to explore that. Include one or two sentences about what you want to achieve through your work.

Roger Hilton was a pioneer of abstract art in post-Second World War Britain.  He talks of feeling: “Painting is a feeling… When I paint it is an affair of instinct and intuition, I feel the shape and colors inside myself.”

Create your unique voice

“Blue has no dimensions, it is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colors  are not… red presupposes a site radiating heat.” Yves Klein (1928 – 1962)

Start with your artwork. Look at your portfolio and pay attention to the work you’ve produced. Consider the medium, use of color and texture as well as subject and tone.  Identify the similarities among your work and explore why they are relevant.  What are the adjectives you would choose? What would a viewer see? Imagine yourself as a stranger, viewing your works in a gallery.

How does your work make you feel?  If you’ve done your job properly, this will come across in your work. But does your art convey what you intended? Jot your thoughts down in a notebook.

Why does it matter what the artist intended?

“My feminism expresses itself in an intense interest in what women do. “ Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010)

Sometimes, the intention of an artist means nothing to a viewer. Sometimes the title provides enough information. But a good artist statement can nudge your audience in the right direction, so make sure to notice the range of sentiment your work evokes.

If you find writing tricky, consider recording  yourself having a casual conversation about your work with a friend. Transcribe the audio and see if anything stands out.

Alternatively, have someone familiar with your work write an artist statement for you. Getting an outside point of view can be insightful and refreshing, and may help to expand your own perception.

Break your statement down

The overall aim of an artist statement is to give a general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project.

It should be no longer than 300 words. This means no more than a single page.

Paragraph One

It should open with the work’s basic ideas in an overview of two or three sentences or a short paragraph.

Paragraph Two

The second paragraph should go into detail about how these issues or ideas are presented in the work.

Paragraph Three

Explain what inspires you. This isn’t a list of other artists, but what and why you view the world and your art as you do.

BE WARNED: Don’t use biographical elements to fill space.  This includes where you were born, schooled and work or every exhibitions you have ever taken part in. A gallery or viewer doesn’t need to know that you were born in Texas and now work out of a garden studio in New Orleans unless it’s relevant to your work.

Now create the perfect artist statement

Keep it short.

Every sentence should communicate its own idea in simple terms. Don’t overcomplicate it! Avoid the temptation to borrow lines from other artists and don’t be tempted to create a list. It should read like you – and no one talks in lists. The tone and structure of the text should be unique to you. However, there are some basic rules to follow in regards to the content.

An artist statement can be in the first or third person

You can write in either the first or third person. The third-person offers some interesting opportunities for writing style and self-criticism.

Avoid cliches

This means not starting your sentences with “I am passionate about…” or “My art excites me…”  If it didn’t excite or make you passionate, why would anyone else be interested?  Avoid too much use of “exploring” or “experimenting.”  It all sounds incomplete. You are asking for someone to retort: “Come back to me when it’s finished.”

Be economical with language

Think of sentence-building as a game of jenga. The aim is to remove any unnecessary words, while upholding the sentence’s core idea.  Once you’ve completed a first draft, read each sentence aloud and delete words as required.  You will probably find space for an additional sentence.

Match your statement to your art

Your art and your artist statement should complement each other.  An art expert should be able to pick them out and match them up without prompting.  If you are experimenting or exploring something new in your work that departs from the art you are showing, give it a mention.

Don’t waffle

Meandering descriptions of your work mean you aren’t confident or you don’t understand your work. Or, even worse, there is nothing to understand. Yves Kein created canvases of monochromes and his own unique Yves Klein Blue. If he hadn’t been able to say his work was a quest to “liberate colour from the prison that is the line “ , his work might have been mistaken for an oversized color chart. It certainly wouldn’t hang in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.  Keeping it short and unambiguous shows the work has a clear purpose.

Don’t quote other artists

Your artist statement is a written version of you and your artwork. It shouldn’t be a copy of another’s statement anymore than your art is a copy of someone else’s artwork. Don’t waste valuable space telling the reader what Henri Matisse had to say about colour or Picasso’s take on his Blue Period. Quotes usually work because they are definitive and concise, so create your own. It is always worth looking at the artist statement’s of successful artists, but don’t be tempted to copy.

Be Confident

Avoid words like attempts, hope, should, may, intends and could when talking about your work. It either does or it doesn’t do something. There is no it may do, I hope it does or my intention is that it should … If you’re not confident about your work, your viewer won’t be either. Don’t leave room for doubt. It’s better to leave room for disagreement!

Don’t use jargon

Art theory is important, but don’t show off with your knowledge of John Berger’s Ways of Seeing or apply Jacques Derrida’s concepts of deconstructionism to abstract painting.  Your text should clarify your work, not obfuscate.  If anyone asks you: “What do you mean?” you probably need to go back to the writing table.  Leave the formulaic jargon to the critics! If you have space to pontificate on the meaning of art, you probably need to start again.

Proofread, and proofread again. A second pair of eyes to spot typos is always useful, but friends and family might not have the distance to fully assess your statement.

“An attempt is everything. How marvellous!” Alberto Giacometti

Keep refining you artist statement

An artist will develop their practice over time.  Your mediums, interests and style will change massively even within a few months.  Check if you’re statement is still relevant every time you use it. 

Visit this blog to find out How to Create an About Me page that Makes Your Artist Website Shine .

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Artist Statement of Purpose Examples: Crafting Your Fine Art Personal Statement

When it comes to pursuing a career in fine art, a well-crafted artist statement of purpose can be your ticket to success. Whether you’re applying for an MFA, BFA, or a position in the art world, your personal statement holds the key to showcasing your passion, creativity, and dedication.

In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into artist statement of purpose examples, helping you understand how to articulate your love for art effectively and create a compelling personal statement.

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• The Importance of a Personal Statement

Your personal statement, often interchangeably referred to as a statement of purpose (SOP), is your opportunity to tell your unique story as an artist. It allows admissions committees or potential employers to get to know you beyond your portfolio or resume.

Your personal statement should convey your artistic journey, influences, experiences, and future aspirations. It’s a chance to make a lasting impression and demonstrate why you are a perfect fit for your chosen fine art program or career in the art world.

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• Crafting a Captivating Introduction

Personal Statement

Your personal statement should begin with a captivating introduction that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Think of it as the opening scene in a captivating movie. Here’s an example:

“Art has always been my muse, guiding my life’s path towards creative expression. From the moment I held a paintbrush, I knew that art was more than just colors on a canvas; it was a form of storytelling, a means to connect with the world and express the deepest facets of my being.”

Expressing Your Love for Fine Art

Your introduction should convey your deep-seated love for fine art. You can talk about when and how your passion for art first ignited. Maybe it was a childhood memory of visiting an art museum, or perhaps you had an inspiring art teacher who encouraged your creativity. Sharing this personal connection with art can draw readers into your narrative.

Defining Your Artistic Identity

In the introduction, you should also touch upon what makes your artistic identity unique. What sets you apart as an artist? Do you have a signature style, technique, or theme that defines your work? This is the time to provide a glimpse into what makes your art special.

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• Sharing Concrete Examples of Your Work and Experiences

Statement Examples

Once you’ve captured your reader’s attention with a compelling introduction, it’s time to delve into the heart of your personal statement by sharing concrete examples of your work and experiences. This section should showcase your artistic journey and demonstrate your dedication to your craft.

Highlighting Artistic Milestones

In this section, you can mention significant milestones in your artistic journey. These could include exhibitions, awards, or collaborations that have shaped your development as an artist. For instance:

“Over the years, I have had the privilege of showcasing my work in prestigious galleries and museums, such as the Tate Modern in London. These opportunities not only exposed my art to a wider audience but also pushed me to constantly evolve as an artist.”

By highlighting these achievements, you demonstrate your commitment to your art and your ability to thrive in the competitive art world.

Discussing Artistic Influences

Artists are often inspired by the work of others. Share the artists or artworks that have influenced your creative process. You might mention famous painters, sculptors, or contemporary artists whose work resonates with you. Explaining how these influences have shaped your artistic perspective can provide insight into your unique approach to art.

Detailing Your Educational Background

If you’ve pursued formal education in fine art, whether it’s an undergraduate degree, a BFA, or an MFA, this is the place to discuss it. Talk about your academic journey, the courses that had a profound impact on you, and any mentors who guided your artistic growth. Be sure to convey how your education has contributed to your development as an artist.

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• Exploring Specific Interests and Influences

Art and Design Personal Statement

Art is a vast and diverse field, and this section allows you to explore your specific interests and influences in greater detail. Whether you’re passionate about painting, sculpture, graphic design, or any other art form, here’s where you can delve into the heart of your creative focus.

Passion for a Specific Art Form

Share your deep-seated passion for your chosen art form. Explain why you are drawn to it and how it allows you to express yourself. For example:

“My fascination with seascapes and the fragility of nature has been a recurring theme in my work. It’s a subject that allows me to explore the vastness and immensity of the natural world while conveying its fragility.”

Artistic Inspirations

Discuss the artists or movements that have had a profound impact on your work within your chosen art form. Whether it’s the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock or the precision of Renaissance art, detailing these influences adds depth to your personal statement.

Your Creative Process

Take the reader on a journey through your creative process. How do you approach your work? Do you start with sketches, embrace spontaneity, or meticulously plan each piece? Sharing your process can provide insight into your artistic mindset.

• Articulating Your Goals and Aspirations

Fine Art Personal Statement

Your personal statement should not only reflect on your past but also look to the future. What are your artistic goals and aspirations? Where do you see yourself in the art world? This section allows you to articulate your vision and ambition as an artist.

Short-Term Goals

Discuss your immediate goals within the art world. Whether it’s participating in specific exhibitions, collaborating with fellow artists, or mastering a new technique, these short-term objectives reveal your drive and commitment.

Long-Term Aspirations

Take a broader view and share your long-term aspirations. Do you dream of curating your own gallery, teaching art to the next generation, or becoming an internationally recognized artist? Expressing these ambitions paints a vivid picture of your future in the art world.

Why This Program or Career?

If you’re applying to a specific program, be it an MFA or a job opportunity, explain why it’s the perfect fit for your artistic journey. Mention how the program’s curriculum, faculty, or mission align with your goals.

• Tailoring Your Statement for MFA and BFA Applications

MFA and BFA

Depending on whether you’re applying for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program, there are specific elements to emphasize in your personal statement.

MFA Program Emphasis

For MFA applicants, emphasize your commitment to furthering your craft and the advanced level of artistry you bring to the table. Discuss your readiness for the intensive program and your eagerness to engage in critical discourse with fellow artists.

“Enrolling in the MFA program at [University Name] is a natural step in my journey to become a professional artist. I am ready to immerse myself in a community of dedicated artists, engage in rigorous critiques, and push the boundaries of my creative practice.”

BFA Program Emphasis

Similarly, BFA applicants should convey their passion and readiness to embark on their educational journey. Highlight your enthusiasm for learning and your willingness to explore various aspects of fine art.

“I am eager to embark on the BFA program, where I can continue to refine my graphic design and photography skills. This program’s focus on nurturing emerging artists aligns perfectly with my goals of honing my craft and exploring new artistic horizons.”

• Showcasing Your Love for Art History

Art History

For those with a passion for art history, your personal statement should reflect your deep love for the subject and your desire to explore its intricacies.

Unearthing Art Historical Insights

Share your favorite periods, artists, or art movements within the scope of art history. Discuss why you find these aspects particularly fascinating and how they have influenced your perspective.

“Art history has been my guiding light in understanding the evolution of artistic expression. I am particularly captivated by the Romantic period and its emphasis on emotion, individualism, and nature, as seen in the works of artists like Caspar David Friedrich.”

Academic Pursuits

If you’re applying for graduate studies in art history, discuss your academic interests and the areas of art history you wish to explore further. Mention any research projects, papers, or presentations that showcase your dedication to the field.

“ During my undergraduate studies, I delved into the complexities of American art history. My thesis on the impact of Abstract Expressionism on post-war American society was a testament to my commitment to scholarly pursuits in this field .”

• Conclusion: Crafting Your Artistic Narrative

Crafting a compelling artist statement of purpose is an art form in itself. By drawing inspiration from these examples and infusing your personal experiences, you can create a statement that reflects your passion for fine art.

Remember, your personal statement is your opportunity to shine and convey why you are a perfect fit for your chosen fine art program or career in the art world.

In closing, let your personal statement be a testament to your love for art and your unwavering commitment to the world of creativity. Use it as a canvas to paint your story, one brushstroke at a time, and let your passion shine through every word. Your artistic journey begins with your statement of purpose, so make it a masterpiece.

With this comprehensive guide, you now have the tools and inspiration to craft a personal statement that leaves a lasting impression and sets you on a path toward success in the world of fine art. Embrace your creativity, share your story, and let your love for art guide you on this incredible artistic journey.

What should I include in my artist statement of purpose?

Your statement should cover your artistic journey, influences, experiences, and future aspirations. Use concrete examples to illustrate your passion for fine art.

How long should my personal statement be?

Aim for a concise statement, typically around 500-800 words. Be sure to follow any specific word limit guidelines provided by the institution or program.

Can I use samples of my work in my statement?

Absolutely! Including images or descriptions of your work can add depth to your statement and showcase your artistic abilities.

Should I mention specific artists or artworks that inspire me?

Yes, mentioning artists or artworks that have influenced you can provide insight into your artistic perspective and passion.

How important is the artist statement in the application process?

Your personal statement is a crucial component of your application. It allows admissions committees to understand your unique voice, passion, and suitability for their program.

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Table of Contents

• • The Importance of a Personal Statement
• • Crafting a Captivating Introduction
• • Sharing Concrete Examples of Your Work and Experiences
• • Exploring Specific Interests and Influences
• • Articulating Your Goals and Aspirations
• • Tailoring Your Statement for MFA and BFA Applications
• • Showcasing Your Love for Art History
• • Conclusion: Crafting Your Artistic Narrative

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By Loney Abrams

March 15, 2017

Writing about art is hard. Writing about art that you made can be even harder. We hear artists say, “If I knew how to describe my work in words, I’d be a writer, not an artist.” While this may be true, what’s “truer” is the fact that at some point, you as an artist will be asked to write an artist statement—and whether or not it is good, will matter. So, what makes an artist statement “good”? Whether you're applying for a residency or grant, or you just want to perfect your elevator pitch, here are a handful of things  not  to include in your artist statement, plus a few tips to make the process a little less excruciating. 

1. Your Artist Statement Is Not “A Piece”

Resist the temptation to use this as an opportunity to write a poem or subvert the “institution of the artist statement.” We get it; you’re an artist. We really do just genuinely want to know what your art is about. Please tell us.

2. Oh, You Loved Art as a Child? Join the Club

The worst way to start an artist statement is with the following words: “Every since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved making art.” Unless you were literally raised by wolves or grew up in a hermetically sealed suite a la Bubble Boy , this is not interesting information. Most kids love art, and regardless, having a long love affair with your craft doesn’t mean much—it’s what you have to show for it that counts. There is really no need to explain when you became interested in art.

3. Avoid These Words:

Juxtapose Humanity Human condition Concerns Chaos Uncanny (unless it truly, truly is uncanny. Look up the definition.) Notions Speculative Explores Rupture Troubled Liminal Controversial (unless it actually sparked controversy.) Deconstructs

4. Just Use Fewer Words in General

Don’t convolute your sentences by beating around the bush. For instance: “My art practice is concerned with exploring notions of gender” really means, “My art is about gender.” Or, “I’m interested in investigating ideas and concepts surrounding notions of race” becomes “I investigate race.” Be specific and don’t use vague words that keep you from getting to the point.

5. If Your Work Is About You, Why Should We Care?

If you’re making art about your personal experience, fine. But the question you have to ask yourself is, “Why is my personal experience relevant to anyone but me?” What does your experience say about the world you live in? What can people learn from your story that might be useful to them? Use your experience to illustrate some larger issue, topic, culture, or idea that others can relate to or learn from.

6. Find Help

Not everyone is a good writer, and that’s totally okay. You shouldn’t need to be able to recite the Chicago Manual of Style verbatim to write a good artist statement. But don’t let your lackluster writing skills be an excuse for a sloppy statement. Find a wordsmith, buy them a beer, and ask them to help you edit your text. Not only will a poorly written statement make your ideas harder to understand, but grammatical errors could also come off as evidence of apathy and irreverence towards whatever opportunity you’re vying for.

7. Don’t Say Your Work Is Interesting—We'll Be the Judge of That

Remember what your middle school English teacher told you—show, don’t tell. Describing your work as meaningful, captivating, groundbreaking, beautiful, or interesting doesn’t tell your reader anything about what your work actually is. (Plus, it comes off as a little cocky.) Instead, write about your work in a way that shows how it’s interesting.

8. Don’t Reference Deleuze Unless You Absolutely Have To

In general, it’s probably best to avoid relying on the ideas of other people to prop up your work. But if you really must reference a philosopher, critic, or theorist, make sure to write a very brief (could be five words) description of who that person is. Don’t assume everyone who reads your statement had the same liberal arts education you did. In terms of referencing other artists: if your work intentionally and deliberately references other artists, and these references are integral to the meaning of your work, by all means, name the artists you reference. Otherwise, do not compare yourself to other artists, e.g., “Like Picasso, I paint…”

9. Know What “International Art English” Is, And Void Using It

In 2012, Alix Rule and David Levine brilliantly and hilariously wrote about what they called “International Art English”: the “the curious lexical, grammatical, and stylistic features” too commonly found in art-world press releases. Here is a tiny excerpt, but do yourself a favor and read the entire thing :

“IAE has a distinctive lexicon: aporia, radically, space, proposition, biopolitical, tension, transversal, autonomy . An artist’s work inevitably interrogates, questions, encodes, transforms, subverts, imbricates, displaces—though often it doesn’t do these things so much as it serves to, functions to, or seems to (or might seem to) do these things. IAE rebukes English for its lack of nouns: Visual becomes visuality , global becomes globality , potential becomes potentiality , experience becomes… experiencability .”

10. Write About the Most Interesting Aspects of Your Work (Not All Aspects Are Interesting)

Explaining your process can reveal something about your work that isn’t immediately known by just looking at it. If this is the case, explain away. But for most artists, this play-by-play account just isn’t necessary. For instance, if you’re a painter, there is really no need to mention that you begin your day by priming your canvases, or that your artwork always begins with “an idea” or “a sketch.” Figure out what makes your work unlike other people’s and focus on that. For some artists, that is their process, for others it might be their research methods, or concepts, or relationship to art history, etc.

11. Keep It Short and Sweet

If you’re applying for an opportunity like an artist residency, art school, or a grant, chances are your artist statement will be one of many. Keep in mind that the person reading your statement may only have time to skim the first few lines, so if you can succinctly describe your practice in four sentences, do it. Less is more. You don’t want the success of your application to rely on whether or not your panelist can read 2,000 words in 60 seconds.

12. Your Love for Making Art Doesn’t Justify its Worth

Please, please, please don’t write about how much you love painting, or how fun it is to be in the studio, or how ceramics is a form of therapy. Don’t get it wrong—we’re very happy for you if you feel these ways, and we understand that working creatively can be a very uplifting and joyful process. But here’s the thing: your experience of making your art in no way influences our experience of looking at it. This may seem counter-intuitive, but an artist statement is not about you, the artist; its about your work, the art.

13. Talk It Out

If you’re having writers block, don’t give up. Download a voice recording app on your phone and record yourself talking about your work out loud to a friend (or your cat.) After you transcribe your speech and edit out the likes and ums, you might be surprised with how good it sounds. And if not, at least you’ll have something down on the page that you can work from. Text that is conversational and seemingly effortless is easier and more fun to read that text that seems like it was painstakingly laborious to write.

14. Obviously, Describe Your Work

If someone was standing in front of your art, what questions might they ask you? What could you tell them that would give them a richer, more informed viewing experience? Write about your work in a way that will add something to the viewing experience, not just summarize it. If you’re having trouble getting the juices flowing, here are a few questions you can answer to get you started (just remember, you don’t need to address all of these in your statement.):

Why did you make the art that you made? What does it say about the world? What does it help people understand? What does it look like? What did you make it out of and how did you make it? How does it address the history of its medium? What sort of culture, topic, or issue does it describe? What do you expect your audience to gain from it?

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"Don't Quote Deleuze": How to Write a Good Artist Statement

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How to Create the Perfect Artist Statement

If you’re looking to make a name for yourself as an artist then at some point in time you may need to sit down and write who you are and what your art is all about – the artist statement.

Even if you are not trying to make a name for yourself, it may be a worthwhile exercise for you to write an artist statement for the purpose of self-discovery.

However, writing about yourself is hard and writing about your art is even harder. But it should not feel like a challenge!

This post is all about writing the perfect artist statement which describes you as an artist, but also does not sound like a sales pitch.

What Is an Artist Statement

Do you need an artist statement, what should you include in your artist statement, famous artist statements, self promotion doesn’t need to be painful, want to learn more, thanks for reading.

An artist statement is essentially what you would write if you needed to describe yourself as an artist to someone who is not aware of you. The artist statement needs to be concise and should not be confused with a biography or resume.

You should write your artist statement as if it were your first impression to a new viewer.

It should explain in a few words what you are all about as an artist, without being confusing, cliche or dishonest.

We will go through some examples of famous artist statements later in this post to give you an idea of what you could include in yours.

In short, no. Especially if you are just a student of the arts.

There are many famous artists who do not have artist statements (David Hockney, Peter Doig and Anish Kapoor for example). Though these artists are in a unique position where they do not really need to talk about themselves anymore (the media do that for them).

However, regardless of your situation, there is no harm in writing an artist statement as it can be a great exercise in discovering who you are as an artist and what your values are.

If you are trying to promote yourself in any way as an artist, then having a clear and concise artist statement will be to your benefit. It can be used on your website , press releases, competition entries and so on.

Your artist statement is often the first thing people will read about you so it is important that you get it right.

Your artist statement should be concise but meaningful. I cannot provide you with a step-by-step blueprint for writing your own artist statement as it does not exist. Everyone will have a different and very personal artist statement.

What I suggest you do is write down answers to the following:

• What kind of artist are you?
• What are you trying to achieve with your artwork?
• What do you want to tell your viewers through your artwork?
• Are there any particular methods you use to create your artwork?

You can then use  some of this information to create your perfect artist statement (remember you need to be concise, so do not try and cram everything in). There may be other information you want to include depending on who you are as an artist.

I think the best way to demonstrate what an artist statement is and should look like is to review some famous artist statements.

“I let myself go. I thought little of the houses and trees, but applied color stripes and spots to the canvas… Within me sounded the memory of early evening in Moscow – before my eyes was the strong, colour-saturated scale of the Munich light and atmosphere, which thundered deeply in the shadows.”

“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else… Nobody really sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time… So I said to myself – I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it.”

“I don’t paint things; I paint only the differences between things… I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me. What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”

“I paint from the top down. From the sky, then the mountains, then the hills, then the houses, then the cattle, and then the people. I look out the window sometimes to seek the color of the shadows and the different greens in the trees, but when I get ready to paint I just close my eyes and imagine a scene. I’ll get an inspiration and start painting; then I’ll forget everything, everything except how things used to be and how to paint it so people will know how we used to live.”

“I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them. It doesn’t matter how the paint is put on, as long as something is said. On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting. When I’m painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing. It’s only after a get acquainted period that I see what I’ve been about. I’ve no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own.”

“An implied quasi-theatrical sublimity in my work creates a tension between modes of engagement with internal and external realities. While attempting to bridge a rift in the continuum between metaphysics and narrativity I investigate a lexicon of parafictional erotic proclivities.”

“It’s to paint directly on the canvas without any funny business, as it were, and I use almost pure turpentine to start with, adding oil as I go along until the medium becomes pure oil. I use as little oil as I can possibly help, and that’s my method.”

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.”

“It is important to express oneself… provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience… My ambition is limited to capturing something transient and yet, this ambition is excessive.”

“The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow.”

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

Notice how much these small paragraphs tell you about each of the artists and what they tried to achieve with their artworks.

Some particular extracts I enjoyed were:

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” Edward Hopper

“It is important to express oneself… provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience.” Berthe Morisot

One of the main reasons people struggle with writing an artist statement is a fear of self-promotion. It can be surprisingly difficult to actually write about yourself, especially in a positive light.

We seem to be much better at talking down on ourselves.

But self-promotion doesn’t need to be difficult. You do not need to write your artist statement as if it were a sales pitch. You do not need to try and sell your art to people. You are just trying to communicate with them and make a connection .

Don’t think of it like you are promoting yourself. Just think of it like you are describing yourself to people who do not know you.

If you manage to build a connection with your viewers using your artist statement, then the purpose of your artist statement is fulfilled.

I hope you enjoyed this post on writing the perfect artist statement. Even if you don’t need one, it can be a great exercise to sit down and try and write your own artist statement.

It will make you ponder why you are painting and what your values are.

If you have any tips for writing an artist statement please share them in the comment section below (or better yet, if you have your own artist statement and you are not afraid to post it, we would love to hear it).

You might be interested in my  Painting Academy  course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.

Happy painting!

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Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the About page .

3 comments on “How to Create the Perfect Artist Statement”

Hi again, I shall not need an artist statement… since I am 89 but shall tell YOU that I started painting cards with the idea that they should be used to SEND A WRITTEN MESSAGE TO A FRIEND since this is now becoming a lost art. I attempt to make the cards (mostly pretty flowers, birds etc) I give most of them to someone just for this purpose. And the pleasure it gives me to paint them Helen Cole

I am a designer, maker, painter; a creative, rather than an artist. My ‘tagline could be and /or has been ‘everything from fabric to fibreglass’. My art is to communicate without words, or to communicate that which has no words. I aim to move emotions. If it doesn’t move you, or at least cause you to pause, I have failed.

HI, I am an Artist

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The Complete Guide to Writing an Artist Statement

Whether it’s a single piece of art or your whole body of work, an artist statement can provide clarity and context to your purposes and processes. A good artist statement can have the power to sway how an audience distinguishes your work. Providing insight on your choice of mediums or the themes you’re aiming to convey can give viewers a deeper understanding and appreciation of your creative intentions.

In this complete guide to writing an artist statement, we will discuss the importance of an artist statement for your art career and provide tips for writing an artist statement . We will also share examples of excellent artist statements and explain what makes them so powerful.

What is an Artist Statement?

Simply put, an artist statement is a description of your work in your own words. It is an explanation of why you do what you do and how you made what you created. You can have an artist statement for each piece of art you create. You can also have an artist statement that represents your entire body of work. An artist statement explains your creative process, including your motivations, inspirations behind, mission, and methods. It should include your choice of mediums and use of tools and techniques.

A well-written artist statement can have the power to break a tie in an art competition, an artist grant application, or secure your spot in a coveted artist residency program. Think of your artist statement as a caption in a broadcast program, similar to what you would include on a social media post. An artist statement , like a caption, aims to improve engagement by giving the visual image desired context and relevance. It will likely appear alongside your work at a gallery, exhibition, art fair display or on a press release of your show. 

Artist Statement vs. Artist Bio

An artist statement is not your life story, a manifesto, or a list of your accomplishments. It is also not an artist biography . An artist biography is a summary of the significant events of your life that lead up to your art career. Unlike an artist statement, an artist bio can be written in the third person. It will include when and where you were born and where you are now based.

An artist bio can talk about how you first became interested in art and where you studied. It can discuss your education, degrees, formal art training, or apprenticeship programs you participated in. Essentially, an artist bio connects the impact your life history has on your artwork and talks about your concepts, philosophies, inspirations, and influences.

An artist statement is typically required when you join an art competition, submit your portfolio to a gallery or museum; it may also be used in press releases. Your artist biography, on the other hand, can be used on your website or your profile on a gallery site. It may also be used in articles, interviews, or exhibition catalogs.

Because an artist bio is the account of your life as an artist, it should remain relatively the same throughout your art career. Artist statements, on the other hand, are more flexible and may change depending on its purpose. It may be changed or tweaked from time to time to stay relevant with any status or developmental changes in your work.

Why You Need an Artist Statement in 2021

From portfolio websites to artists galleries, arts professionals benefit from artist statements in more ways than one. Whether you’re applying for residencies or art collectives, submitting your portfolio to a gallery, or participating in a competition, your artist statement will help you stand-out. Decision-makers will want to learn more about your process. When someone becomes familiar with you, they may search the internet to see what others are saying about your work.

Up-and-coming contemporary artists and performance artists alike use the online platforms to reach more audiences and spread their artistic messages. It’s where people may see your work for the first time and learn about you as a talented visual artist. So without realizing it, your personal brand already exists online – especially if you are active on social media or have a website for your work. And while people are free to form their own opinions about your art, remember that you are the best person to represent and describe your work.

Writing an artist statement is how you can take control of your narrative. We live in a digital era where most things, even art, are first experienced on the internet. And unfortunately, seeing art on a screen can often make it impossible to determine the true nature of the piece.

If they are seeing your art online or a photograph, they will want to know your medium and methods. A still image of a performance art piece may be mistaken for photography while a picture of a sculpture may look like a painting. A hyperrealistic art piece may be so accurate and detailed that it is thought to be a photograph of a real person or object. And without the right description, it may go unnoticed that you have used mixed media or used a highly unique method that sets you apart.

Without proper context, an audience, whether online or in-person, can view your art and become confused, be misled, or often make their assumptions about your message or intention behind your work. And while you have little control over how people interpret your work, the goal of your artist statement is to tell your story in your own words and sway readers in the right direction.

The Components of an Artist Statement

Artist statements vary in length, tone, and purpose. However, all effective artist statements have some qualities in common. They answer the “how,” the “what,” and the “why.”

Medium, materials, and methods – Describing the medium and the materials you use to answer the “how.” How do you create your art? Do you use acrylic, oil paint, or charcoal? Do you use metals, wood, stone, or recycled materials? Do you take your photography work using old film cameras and develop them in your darkroom? Or like everyone, a digital camera?

Subject matter – Sometimes subject matters aren’t always obvious. And often, visual artists would prefer not to put labels on their work to let their audience interpret the work for themselves. However, you can describe your subject matter without directly saying it is. Instead, you can answer the “what” by saying it’s an abstract painting, a landscape, or your interpretation of an everyday object.

Relationship between your concept and materials – Talk about your influences and how they manifest in your work. This is your opportunity to differentiate your work from art that is similar to yours and answer the “why.” Explain why you do what you do and what you hope to achieve. What are your intentions? What message do you hope to convey?  

Tips for Writing an Artist Statement

Feeling the pressure of being both artist and writer? Connecting with your audience by explaining your visual art through written words can be a challenge. However, it doesn’t have to be a painful process. Here are some tips on how to help your audience understand your art and gain insight into your process:

Write in the first person – While some may argue that the third person sounds more professional, the goal of your artist statement is to communicate your work effectively. And the best way to do that is by using your own words, active voice, and first-person language to connect with your audience. When crafting your artist statement, imagine you’re having a conversation with the reader; use “I” and “me.” Allow the reader to see your work through your eyes. The problem with writing in the third person is that it may detach you from the reader and make it seem like someone else is describing your motivations.

Use your voice – Using your voice is different from writing in the first person. Your voice refers to your writing personality. Your style may be humorous, witty, technical, or heartfelt. When writing your artist statement, use your unique perspectives and experiences. And while many artists have inspired your work, try not to copy other people’s words to describe art that is similar to yours.

Consider your audience – While it’s important to stay true to your voice, different situations call for different artist statements. A basic artist statement will suffice if it accompanies your artwork on your website. However, if the artist’s statement is for a grant opportunity, you may need to change your tone slightly to focus more on your goal, purpose, and/or techniques.

Write different versions – It is wise art practice to create different versions of your artist statement. This will save you the time of shortening and lengthening your statement depending on the situation. So before you write your artist statement, know your audience.

Because artist’s statements are used for different purposes, they can vary in length. An artist’s statement accompanying a single piece of work can be a few sentences or a short paragraph long. Generally, an artist statement should only be between 100-200 words because shorter statements are better for the average attention span.

On the other hand, an artist statement submitted with your portfolio for review by jurors on a grant committee or graduate art program may require a detailed description of your concept and processes. Therefore, they can be longer if the intended purpose for the artist statement requires a more comprehensive explanation of your work.

Answer the right questions – An effective artist statement answers the “how,” the “what,” and the “why. Think about all the questions you would typically have if you were looking at a piece of art. Interview yourself. What would a prospective buyer, grant-giving organization, or art competition judge want to know about your work?

Use accessible language – Overly technical language and art jargon can be intimidating for the average reader. And while an art expert or a scholar who may understand complex art terms may be reading your artist statement, using fanciful words may come off as pretentious. Instead, use clear, accessible vocabulary that will enlighten your audience rather than confuse them.

Read your statement aloud – When you read your artist statement out loud, does it sound like you or someone else? Remember that your artist statement should sound natural coming from you, after all, they are your words and your voice.

Read your artist statement to a fellow visual artist, a teacher, a mentor, or even an art critic. Sometimes it’s best to seek the opinion of an unbiased third party who has no formal art background. Ask them to point out any inconsistencies, grammarly errors, or confusing comparisons.  

Excellent Examples of Artist Statements

To get inspiration when it’s time to write about your work, read sample artist statements from reliable art resources, art news, artist books, related articles, and art business publications. The best artist statements have a few elements in common. They are short personal narratives that give the reader insight into the art-making process and deeper meaning of the art. They are also written in the writer’s unique voice. Here are some of our favorite artist statements:

We start with an artist statement by Henri Matisse:

“ I don’t paint things; I paint only the differences between things… I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me. What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. ”

– Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse wrote this artist statement for his painting Harmony in Red (1908), considered to be Matisse’s masterpiece by many critics and art historians. While this statement is over a hundred years old, it shows that a well-written artist statement stands the test of time and secures itself in art history.

Here is another artist statement that we love:

“ Getting outside is good for the soul. Through my artwork, I try to bring the outside in. While I make no attempt to portray actual plants or animals, I do want my creations to look like they could have lived or grown somewhere. Living with beautiful objects that pay tribute to the natural world reminds us to slow down and helps us reconnect with nature. ”

– Alison Sigethy

Alison Sigethy is an artist who makes environmentally themed sculptures out of glass. In her artist statement, she explains beautifully where she draws inspiration from when creating kinetic water features and nature-inspired glass art.

Here is another compelling artist statement from Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz:

“ My subject matter is nature, whether it is a traditional landscape or a bird and flower painting. I use traditional materials, ink and brush on rice paper, to capture movement and life — making the brush dance and the ink sing. Everything is captured in the spontaneous dance and movement of the brush as it meets the rice paper. There is no going back and correcting when painting with ink and rice paper. This love of spontaneous Chinese painting has provided a unique segue for my exploration of more abstract techniques of Oriental painting such as “Splashing Ink” or “PoMo”.  These techniques entail pouring color and creating an image from the abstract through the use of traditional brush work. At this point my work ranges from the very traditional to abstract and a blending of the two. ”

– Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz

Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz is a sumi-é artist who began Chinese Brush painting in 1989. We love her artist statement because it gets straight to the point and describes her medium, techniques, and intentions.

Take a look at Georgia O’Keefe’s artist statement for Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 (1932):

“ When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else… Nobody really sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time… So I said to myself – I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it. ”

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keefe’s artist statement puts focus on the piece’s subject matter, the flower. She talks about her motivations for painting it.

And finally, here is an artist statement from an old master:

“ The pre-homoeroticized body forms both my field of action and the basis of my conceptual taxonomy. My sculptures explore both the flux of transfixable signifiers and their complimentary anecdotal formations. My choice of Carrara marble as a medium creates a dialectic between proto-Classical conceptions of idealized form and later Humanistic naturalism. Each figure’s physical struggle is simultaneously inoperative and adjectival. ”

– Michelangelo Buonarroti

In this excellent example of an artist statement, Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, talks about The Rebellious Slave , a marble sculpture piece from 1513. What makes Michelangelo’s artist statement so effective is that it answers the “how,” the “what,” and the “why” of the masterpiece sculpture.  

Your artist statement is a useful tool for explaining your creative process and allows you to steer your narrative in the right direction rather than leave it open to misinterpretation and confusion. While you may dismiss writing an artist statement to allow your visual work a chance to speak without verbal cues, remember that artist statements are necessary if you want to grow as an artist and gain the attention of audiences and potential patrons and buyers.

Whether you’re in New York City or Los Angeles, somewhere in Europe or Latin America, applying for national or international residency programs, or a hardworking emerging artist finding your niche in the artistic community, an artist statement is your ticket to the art world.

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Writing Your Artist Statement

Writing your artist statement is a rite of passage.

Your artist statement will be requested by everyone from gallery dealers to show promoters to curators to art writers, bloggers, and podcasters. But what exactly   is  an artist statement?

In truth, there is no strict definition, and  there are no precise guidelines for an artist statement.  I know it would be a lot easier if there were a standard statement format, but there isn’t.

But I've got your back. I've developed this comprehensive guide to help you write your statement.

[🎧   Prefer to listen?  Listen here .  ]

What is an artist statement?

Ask 100 people in the art community what they want in an artist statement and you’ll get 100 different answers. Here’s my definition:

An artist statement is a written document that guides viewers to a better understanding of your artwork.

My biases, reflected in that definition and the rest of this article, come from my  background  as an art historian and museum curator and educator, as well as more than two decades working with artists.

You will never convince me that art speaks for itself. For as long as it's been around, art (perhaps yours) has been written about, scrutinized, and categorized by those I mentioned earlier: arts writers, critics, gallery dealers, and curators. You might occasionally like what others say about your art, but more than likely you will wish you had found the words for yourself in the first place.

You can do more than simply react to what others say about your art.  The right language can put you in  control .

Communicating effectively about your art begins with your artist statement because, again:  An artist statement is a written document that guides viewers to a better understanding of your artwork.

You have to make sense of your art before you can share your message in other formats or through  social media  channels. This is accomplished through the  process  of writing your artist statement. And it  is  a process.

Why you need an artist statement.

The pensive and deliberate process of writing your artist statement can be a boon to your promotional efforts. Once you take the time to become intimately acquainted with your work and learn to articulate your ideas more clearly, you’ll find many uses for the language in all of your promotional materials. More about that coming up.

Writing your statement is the first step in marketing your art.

Contrary to what you may think, the establishment isn’t asking for an artist statement to torture you. They’re asking because they want to know about your art. They want to hear how you describe it.

You don't write an artist statement just because   someone asked for you to submit one .

You write an artist statement because you are  in charge  of your art career.

Your statement is the backbone of your marketing because it’s all about your art. It’s your chance to guide the perception of your work. It makes little sense to hang a show , send out a press release, or apply for a grant before you develop a meaningful statement.

Why should viewers spend time trying to connect with your art if you haven’t spent time trying to understand it for yourself?

[🎧  Prefer to listen? Listen here . ]

This isn't going to be easy.

It’s difficult to stand back from your art and think about it objectively, much less articulate what comes from your soul.

I get it. It’s a challenge to put into words what you have expressed visually. The process from which it evolves is complicated and words describing it rarely flow easily.

But you have to keep trying.

You wouldn’t expect your art to improve if you didn’t put in the hours. Language skills are no different. You have to put in the hours. To work on the words. But the effort will be worth it because your artist statement is an opportunity that should not be wasted. It’s free. It costs nothing except time to communicate these ideas to your viewers.

A good starting point for your statement would be journaling about your art. This is a process I walk artists through in my programs.

I understand that you would much rather be making art than talking or writing about it. Know that you are not alone. Many, many artists are in the same situation, but that’s no excuse to neglect writing your statement.

Don’t miss this opportunity to clarify your thoughts—for yourself and for others.

I won't lie and tell you this is going to be easy, and you shouldn't believe anyone who says otherwise. You must ( must! ) make time to write your statement. It will not be any good if you don’t work at it. 

Don’t expect to get it right immediately. You’re too close to your work to uncover a deeper meaning without a lot of effort, but you’ll be rewarded for that hard work.

It’s important to collect your thoughts (and a lot of words) before you begin to narrow down what you want to say and how you want to say it.

Let me get you started with some journaling prompts.

Use these prompts for writing your artist statement.

Respond to these questions in depth during your journaling time. Get a notebook out and do this the old-fashioned way. When you type into a computer, there's a temptation to self-edit. To make the words perfect.

This is no time for perfection. Allow the words to flow by using pen and paper without editing yourself. Your goal is to collect as many words as possible.

[ An imperfect journaling practice for artists ]

1. What do you want people to see?

What is important to you? What do you want viewers to get about your art? Is it . . .

• Your labor?
• A special material?
• An emotion?
• Color? Line? Texture?

Write in your journal about how you handle this aspect of your work. The words you ultimately select for your statement should be clues that lead viewers  to these discoveries.

For example, declaring “I love color” isn't helpful because, well, who doesn’t love color? I call this lazy language. Show us exactly  how you respond to color and use it to transfer meaning from your head and heart to the viewer.

2. What is a distinguishing characteristic of your art?

A distinguishing characteristic might be one of the items in the list under #1 above or something completely different.

What makes  your art different from artists working along the same lines? Emphasize this quality when you speak and write. Help us to see what makes you an original.

Part of your job, if you haven't already figured this out, is to educate others how to look at your work. Most people haven’t had a visual education. They need to be shown, through words, what to look for.

3. What do other people find delightful or surprising about your art?

If it captures one person’s attention, it will probably be fascinating to others as well. Listen to  what people say about your art. Their discoveries might shock or confound you, but trying to understand where they’re coming from is part of the communication process.

What are people saying?

You might uncover new language by listening to their insights.

After you've responded to these 3 questions, take a break—a day or two—and write more. See if you can collect enough words for 10 artist statements. Keep writing even if it doesn't make sense to you right now.

The more words you collect, the more you have to choose from for not just your artist statement but for all of your promotional material.

Guidelines for your artist statement.

Here are some tips as you start writing the first draft of your artist statement.

Stick to the body of work you are trying to define.

If you have many different bodies of work, write a statement for each of them. Trying to write a comprehensive statement for diverse works will result in a watered-down attempt.

Do not dredge up past work that is no longer pertinent, but feel free to mention past work that is closely related. This helps us see your progression.

Do not include anything about the teachers and historical figures who influenced you. Whenever you mention someone else, the reader's mind starts wandering and comparing. You want them to stay focused on your art.

Write in the first person .

It is a statement, after all. It comes from your lips (or pen or keyboard). Own the words.

Which brings me to …

Avoid quotes from other sources.

When we first started writing as youths, our English teachers, bless them, taught us how to start an essay with a quote. Then, if you were like me, it became your favorite way to start all of your essays. It was easier to fill the page with someone else's words. More lazy language.

We're no longer in English class.

Use your own words to describe your art. To repeat: Any mention of other names will cause readers’ minds to wander to someone other than you.

Resist including biographical information.

Your biography (which is written in the third person) is not the same as your statement (which is written in the first person). These are two different documents .

Allow your statement to be organic.

This document isn't your life's treatise. You won't be defined by the words you choose forever.

Your artist statement should grow, change, and mature along with your work. Don’t cast it in bronze and consider it done.

While I said this will take a lot of time and won't be easy, don’t labor so much that you think you have the perfect statement and never need to look at it again. You shouldn’t be afraid to change it and make it better.

Keep it short.

Most artist statements don't need to take up anymore space than a couple of paragraphs. Often, a single paragraph will do.

Always, always, always aim for brevity. If you decide to create a statement that is longer than two paragraphs, be sure that every word adds to your message. If not, leave it out.

The Ultimate Test

Think of your statement as a connecting device—something that connects viewers’ experiences with your art.

Above all, your artist statement should compel viewers to look back at your work. This is the ultimate test for a successful statement. Your statement has failed if people read the words you’ve written and then go on to the next artist without being intrigued enough to take another look at your work.

This advice I've given over the years has often been misinterpreted to be that you should be didactic with your language. I urge you to write without telling people (literally) to look at specific aspects of the work. See how Linda Hugues does this in the example below.

Writing a draft of your artist statement.

It was necessary to get thoughts out of your head and onto paper. To collect words. That process was for you.

When you write your statement draft, you are writing for a reader. You cannot and should not try to find a place for all of those words you have collected and, hopefully, will continue to collect.

Don't be so in love with what you wrote that you can't remove it for a bigger impact. Don't worry! You didn't waste your time. You might be able to use scraps you cut for other purposes, like social media posts. 

This is where I leave you to write your draft.

I can't tell you to write this sentence first and then that one next. You're on your own to mold your words into impactful paragraphs. The onus is on you to select the most pertinent thoughts and present them to the reader as succinctly as possible.

Remember, at this point you are not committing the U.S. Constitution to ink. Heck, you aren't even committing to these words for yourself. You are writing what author Ann Lamott calls a shitty first draft .

Remember, it's a process. Allow the ugly phases.

If you want your words to improve, you will write and rewrite the same thoughts. This is sometimes difficult, which is why, again, you must allow time between writing and editing.

Once you have pulled everything together in paragraph form, you can begin to hone your draft.

Editing your artist statement.

My first rule of thumb for editing is to put aside your draft for a day or two before looking at it again. You need a little space between the writing and revisions.

There are 5 things to look out for when editing your artist statement.

1. Don’t say your art is  unique .

Just. Don't. Do. It.

“Unique” doesn’t mean anything and, I'm sorry to say, odds are that your work isn’t unique in the clearest definition of the word. All art is informed by work that came before and anyone who knows art history can point to an artist who did it first place.

But your work does have  qualities  that make it yours rather than someone else’s. Instead of using the word “unique,” describe your work in a way that makes the reader  think it’s unique. These are the distinguishing characteristics I mentioned in the prompts above.

While this Facebook Live was recorded in 2017 when we were still Art Biz Coach, the information is still solid. I think you'll understand the editing process if you watch. 

2. Remove the phrases that many artists default to.

I see these phrases in so many statements that they put me straight to sleep. They are more lazy language. Do  not use any version of these in your statement.

• I am excited by . . .
• I’ve always been an artist / I have always made art
• I have to  make art
• My work is about the human condition

I could go into detail on each one of these and tell you why they send up red flags for me, but the bottom line is that the words usually following these phrases are, and I'm being kind here, far less than interesting.

3. Beware of redundancy.

Say it one way and move on.

Don’t  drag it out  and duplicate the same meaning in a new sentence. Don’t make me be redundant by going any further with this warning.

4. Get rid of the lists.

One of the things I see in artist statements that makes me want to take a delete key to them is the overuse of adjectives. Lists of descriptors are a rampant virus in artist statements. Get rid of them!

If you have more than 3 or 4 commas in your statement, dig deep to see what can be eliminated.

5. Reduce the number of personal pronouns.

Yes, you\'re writing in the first person, but you don’t need all of those I/me/my/mine/myself  words in there. Really! I challenge you to get rid of most of them.

After you’ve cleaned up these 5 things, give yourself a little more time and step away from what you’ve written. When you return to the document, look it over and (here’s a ninja move) read it out loud.

Does it make sense when you read it out loud? Are these words you would speak naturally? It is a statement, after all. Reading your draft aloud will help you uncover any odd passages.

Facebook Live from 2018, when we were still Art Biz Coach, shows how I go about editing an artist statement. The process is the same today as it was then.

Example of a good artist statement.

Awhile back, I worked with artist Linda Hugues on her statement. The words and ideas are wholly hers. It was my job to help her massage the message. I think it stands up even after the passing of a few years.

Note that Linda's statement is longer than a paragraph or two, but that it isn't redundant. Every word contributes to an understanding of her painting.

I paint sun-drenched cityscapes of Florida and Europe because I love the blend of architecture, history, and lifestyle in these favorite locations. My works are studies of the character and energy of each city told through a carefully balanced construction of the elements of urban landscape. Rearranging and enhancing these elements allows me to satisfy my search for beauty and order. To that structure, I add the passersby, who bring the scene to life and contribute their own story. Viewing the activity from a comfortable distance I tend to wonder, “Who are they? What are they thinking about? What will their day be like?”  My figures suggest answers to these questions through their posture and movement. The steps of my painting process allow me to concentrate on one aspect of design at a time. Beginning with my photos of the scene and my memories of how I felt at that moment, I rearrange the elements, focusing on shape, contrast, and repetition to strengthen the composition. Before putting brush to canvas I make small sketches in oil paint and ink to try out different value and color ideas. When I start on the full-sized canvas I use large brushes and big strokes, working to capture the emotion of the scene. Then I add in more detail, revising until I feel the work reflects my original vision. Ultimately, I want my paintings to be a love poem to the city and evoke the joy of that sunlit moment.

Notice how Linda has given us clues for looking at her work: sun-drenched, architecture, passersby, story.

How and where to repurpose your artist statement.

Linda's statement above could easily be broken up in to two different pieces of text: one about subject matter (the first two paragraphs) and the other about technique (the last two paragraphs). That relates to the final point I want to share.

Once you have a statement you're proud of, it will sustain you. Use your artist statement in the following situations.

• On your website. This is obvious. But here's something that might not be so obvious: Make sure people can look at the art that the words are describing—that they can see words and images side by side. Remember that the ultimate test for a successful artist statement is that your words compel people to look at the art. I understand that some website templates make this difficult, so please note it's just a preference, not a mandate.
• In your artist introduction . The second sentence of your artist introduction is a whole lot easier after you write a meaningful statement.
• On a gallery label. Your artist statement can serve as an introduction to your exhibition. [ Pointers on wall labels for your art exhibition   ]
• As the framework for a section of your grant application.

• In a  brochure . By all means use it in your brochure, but there's no need to add the words “Artist Statement” as a headline. Most people have no idea what an artist statement is, so you can leave off those two words in marketing pieces intended for the general public.
• In a catalog. A catalog , even when self-published, is an excellent marketing tool. It's also an opportunity for you to curate your body of work—recognizing the strengths and identifying common threads among the individual pieces. You artist statement, of course, belongs with those works in print.
• In your email signature block. Pull out your best sentence to use below your sign-off and name in your emails. Don't forget to include a link to your website.

A Final Word about Your Artist Statement

As I said way back in the beginning of this article, these guidelines reflect my biases. There are no hard and fast rules .

Regardless of what you read here, follow any guidelines for your artist statement that you’re given when entering an exhibition or applying for an opportunity. Always follow directions and you should be okay.

I hope this has clarified any questions you might have had about your statement. Remember, writing your artist statement isn't easy. It's a process—a necessary process.

🎧  Listen to the podcast: Guidelines for Writing Your Artist Statement .

• Alyson Stanfield
• February 15, 2022

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10 Artist Statement Examples from Modern Day Masters

An artist’s work doesn’t always speak for itself, so it’s important to have a well-crafted artist statement to accompany a body of work, series, or specific work.

An artist’s work doesn’t always speak for itself, so it’s important to have a well-crafted artist statement to accompany a body of work, series, or specific work. It is useful for collectors and dealers when they are looking to better understand the artist and their work. 

An artist statement is traditionally from the artist’s point of view, written in the first person. It’s not only a tool for the artist to convey their perspective and intention behind their work, but it’s also useful for galleries to reference when writing artist bios, exhibition catalogs, press releases, or other written material about the artist and their work.

Writing a great artist statement may be a challenge especially for artists whose work comes to them intuitively. No matter your medium, style, or focus, there are different ways you can approach writing artist statements. To learn how to write compelling artist statements, check out some of our favorites below.

Great examples of Contemporary Artist Statements

• Michael Rich ,  ARC Fine Art

In his artist statement, Michael Rich, an abstract painter and printmaker, explains his creative process and gives the reader insight into his mental state when creating. He focuses on the source of inspiration for his work and describes how he finds beauty in the small details of his own backyard. Michael also touches upon Monet and how the famous artist has impacted his work. He goes into enough detail to paint a rich picture for the reader without overwhelming the reader with too much information.

2. Adam Basanta ,  ELEPHANT

Adam Basanta opens his artist statement by focusing on the larger themes of his work and his mission as an artist. He then describes the type of work he creates and what he aims to achieve for his audience. He also describes his process and the concepts that inspire his work. As he works across multiple media and includes a great deal of conceptualism in his work, his statement provides the viewer with greater insight and understanding. 

3. Fred Wilson

Fred Wilson’s statement is about a specific artwork. He explains how he came across the sculptures he uses to create this piece and how he eventually paired them to create this work. He then describes his conceptual process and the significance behind the title of the work. He also provides the reader with insight into his process of creation. By focusing on the cultural and conceptual themes he explores in his work, he provides the reader with more context and a greater understanding when viewing this work.

4. Max Streicher ,  Ricco/Maresca

In his artist statement, Max Stricher explains how he creates his work, the materials he uses, and his reasons for doing so. He describes the impact his work has on the viewer and the emotions his work often evokes. His writing is descriptive and compliments his work giving the reader more context and a greater sense of appreciation of his work.

5. Shoshanna Weinberger,  Long Gallery

Shoshanna Weinberger’s artist statement accompanies an exhibition of two specific series of works. She initially focuses on the larger themes and influences on her work more generally and then speaks more specifically to the featured body of work. She explains the significance behind specific visual elements and motifs in these pieces. She also describes the influence of the writer Nella Larsen on her work. Here she provides the reader with enough detail so they have a full understanding when viewing the exhibition, but not too much so that it overwhelms.

Artist Statements and Quotes by Famous Artists

Though many historical artists didn’t make formal artist statements like the ones above, many wrote about their work. Read some statements and quotes below to inspire your artist statements.

6. Mark Rothko

Here, Rothko describes his attitude toward painting. His ultimate goal when the painting is to evoke emotion and is less focused on formal color relationships or visual composition.

7. Pablo Picasso

In this statement, Picasso demonstrates his perspective towards painting and reveals that his process of creation is very deliberate.

8. Georgia O’Keeffe

Here, Georgia O’Keeffe describes her philosophy as an artist. To paint for herself and not for art institutions.

9. Chuck Close

Chuck Close explains why his portraits feature people with neutral expressions, rather than displaying emotion.  

10. Helen Frankenthaler

Similar to O’Keeffe, Helen Frankenthaler describes her philosophy on art by focusing on invention and rule-breaking.

What Makes These Artist Statements Work

These statements all provide additional context for the viewer and demonstrate the artist’s perspective which enriches the viewer’s understanding for and appreciation of their work. They all use the active voice, which is engaging. Even though they vary in length, they are compelling and avoid overwhelming the reader with too much information or detail. Each covers the  what ,  why , and  how  – what their artwork is (medium and style), why they create their work (themes and influences), and how they create the work (artistic process – conceptual or physical). 

What These Artist Statements Avoid Doing

These statements avoid using too much ‘artspeak’ or academic language, which can be confusing or alienating for some audiences. Instead, they are more personal and relatable from the artist’s perspective. They do not include a list of accomplishments or accolades which can be found on the artist’s CV or highlighted in the artist’s bio. They avoid extreme binary statements. They don’t include clichés about the artist’s work nor grand statements about the artist’s role in the world. They also don’t brag about the work.

Points for Artists to Consider When Writing Artist Statements

• Who is the audience?
• What things should the reader know to better understand your creative process and your artistic mission?
• How is your process or technique important to your work?
• What do you draw inspiration from? How does this impact your work?
• What emotions does the work invoke?
• Where does this work or body of work fit within the context of current contemporary art?
• Where does this work, or body of work fit in the context of art history?
• If you find yourself too immersed in your work, take a step back and look at it holistically

There are as many approaches to making a creative statement as there are artists.  For a website, brevity is the soul of wit.  For a complete artist page, more expansion can be valuable.  A statement can create context by tapping an historical concept or professional and emotional affinities.  A life-changing event or epiphany on the road to Damascus can attract attention.  Most important is an authentic approach that connects the reader to the artist.  References to iconography can give access to the artwork for the viewer.  Personal philosophy can illuminate artistic vision.  However, some of the greatest quotes are obtuse and revealing.  Jasper Johns paints “things the mind already knows.  For Frank Stella, “what you see is what you see.”  This originality absorbs attention.

When writing an artist statement think about what is unique to you and your work and what will compel a collector or gallery to want to know more. Though there are different approaches to writing artist statements, in general, a statement should provide the reader with insight into your work and should address the  what ,  why , and  how . 

You might also like these articles:

• How to Make the Most of Your Artist Bios: The Essential Guide for Galleries
• Certificates of Authenticity: A Complete How-To Guide for Galleries
• Settling into Click-and-Mortar: The New Prime Real Estate

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How to Write an Artist Statement - All you Need to Know

Your artist's statement is your chance to talk not just through your art but about your art. You can use your artist's statement to reveal the concepts, philosophy, themes and ideas behind your artwork and this useful guide will tell you how!

What is an Artist Statement? 

 An artist's statement is as important as an artist's work. Simply put, the artist statement is a brief description of your artworks that shapes the viewers' perspective when they are looking at your art.

Think of it as your substitute when you are not present to answer questions related to your art. Art is subjective. People will look at your craft and evaluate it. So, it helps if you communicate your story to the viewer. Viewers often have questions about the art they are looking at. An effective artist statement answers those questions while you are not there.

Writing an artist statement should ideally be natural and free flowing because essentially, you are expressing your own story. However, it can seem challenging to put one together. 

Creative professionals write artist statements as part of their online portfolio. An online portfolio acts as your professional address and launchpad to find work opportunities and recognition. Artist statements go hand-in-hand with a online portfolio website . A website helps you gain credibility and legitimacy. Take a look at some great examples of artist portfolio websites .

Create your artist portfolio website  on Pixpa within minutes without any coding. Start your free trial. No credit card required .

Given below are a few valuable tips from professional essay writers that will help you to write a clear, concise, and compelling artist statement.   Here are stunning  great tattoo artist portfolio website examples  designed for your use. 

How to write an artist statement – The structure

Your artist statement is about YOU. So you must make it personal. Writing an artist statement is also an exercise for you to clarify your ideas about your work. 

• What is the intent and purpose of your art?
• What does it say about you as an artist?
• What keeps you motivated every day?
• What is your artist story?
• What questions are you often asked about your work?
• Who is your audience

You must establish the connection between what you are creating as an artist, and why are you doing it. How are you expressing your ideas with the medium of your choice?

Your artist statement is an introduction to your work and should be no more than 100 -150 words. The opening sentence should be distinct and captivating and draw the readers in. Begin with a short paragraph about the basic premise behind your work, artistic style, and vision. What do you want to say with your art? What is it that makes your work unique? What inspires you? What makes you stand out from the rest of the artists working in your space? 

Be honest about your work. Avoid repetition of words. Use simple language and short sentences that draw attention to, and illustrate your ideas to your audience 

The next paragraph should be a concise expression of the type of work presented and the artistic process. Describe your job, your favorite colors, and your technique as an. As a photographer, explain your work from a creative and technical standpoint.

An artist statement can be a full-page statement or a short statement, only focusing on your current project.

In a full-page artist statement, do remember to include the following:

• The reason behind creating your work and its history
• Overall vision
• The context of your work -Medium, artistic process, technique, and influences. Highlight what materials you work with and your sources and inspiration
• The expectations of your audience and how they perceive your work
• Your current work’s relation to your previous projects
• How your work fits with current contemporary art practice

Tip: While writing, do remember that you should avoid exaggerated statements and avoid pretentiously grand terms like 'the only one' or the 'best.'

Where is an artist statement used?

Remember, an artist statement complements your bio or resume.  It is an opportunity to help the reader envision your work before actually seeing it, and present a picture of who you are as an artist. 

Here are a few places where you may need to submit your artist statement:

• To a gallery owner or curator who needs details about your work.
• To a competitive event or an artist collective.
• When applying to graduate school
• When applying for grants or art scholarships
• When applying for a teaching position.
• To a reviewer who is writing about your work for a magazine or catalog.
• As an introduction to your creative work for potential buyers.

Along with your portfolio of works, you must have an artist statement ready at all times. It is the first point of communication between you as an artist and the viewer.

Examples of famous artist statements

Here are some artist statement examples that you can get inspired from:

Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, silkscreen print

"I long for the old days of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, stars who had real glamour and mystique. We only knew so much about their lives; the rest was a mystery… My fascination with letting images repeat and repeat – or in a film's case 'run on' – manifests my belief is that we spend much of our lives seeing without observing."

Leonardo da Vinci, Salvator Mundi. Wikipedia

"The beginnings and ends of shadow lie between the light and darkness and may be infinitely diminished and infinitely increased. Shadow is the means by which bodies display their form. The forms of bodies could not be understood in detail but for shadow."

Painting by Berthe Morisot

"It is important to express oneself… provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience… My ambition is limited to capturing something transient, and yet, this ambition is excessive."

From any of the sample artist statements above, you can understand that conveying the purpose of your art and your philosophy towards it is important.

Check out these great examples of  artist portfolio websites  for your inspiration and further examples of artist statements.

Tips for writing a compelling artist statement:

1. share the inspiration behind your art.

One of the best ways to introduce your art to the viewers is to write about the inspiration behind it. This lays a foundation before you begin to explain your artwork to your viewers. Inspiration can be a daily phenomenon or a particular incident. Regardless, explain it in as simple words as you can. This act accomplishes the principal goal of connecting with the viewer. Not doing so leaves a viewer unconnected, especially if it's abstract art. Without it, your art is a splash of multiple colors on canvas with nothing to make of it.

2. Shape the viewer's perspective

The next important thing to do when you write an artist statement is to explain your art in words that would shape the perspective of viewers. Your art is your viewpoint, and one can easily misunderstand it. To ensure that you and the viewer are on the same page, add a line or two to explain your art. But, restrain from divulging all the details about your work. Try to leave a little room for curiosity such that the viewer is bound to further inquire about your art.

3. Keep the artist statement as small as possible

If you are wondering how long should your artist statement be, then you should know that lengthy biographies drain viewers, especially when they are out to see beautiful art. A lot of fancy words make a statement boring and challenging to comprehend. A long-winded explanation makes the work appear insecure.

Some of the best artist statements are under 100 words. A rule of thumb that you can follow here is - the shorter, the better. Find an example of an artist statement that you can relate to and get inspired by ideas from it.

Consider this as the most critical point in your lessons on how to write an artist statement. An effective artist statement is anywhere from a hundred words to one-page-long. To bring your statement in this range, cut down on technical details and fancy words that you may have included in your artist statement.

4. Use an active voice

Write your artist statement in an active voice. It makes the tone more conversational as if you are speaking to your viewer in person. It establishes an instant connection with the viewer. Use online editing tools like  the Hemingway  App to ensure that your artist statement appears in the active voice. 

5. Avoid spelling and grammatical mistakes

One of the primary purposes of an artist statement is to draw the audience into your artworks and lead them to explore your art further. A sloppy artist statement puts a reader off, departing them with less interest or no interest in art at all. Inconsistency in writing, typos, and spelling errors might turn a viewer away.

You can use tools like  Grammarly  to avoid small grammatical mistakes. A well-punctuated, typo-free, artist statement is a joy to read.

Here's a simple list of do's and don'ts to sum everything up. You can use this as your artist statement format:

Do’s - Best practices to create a successful artist statement

• Keep your artist statement short
• Be specific and on the point
• Bring clarity, confidence and focus on your statement
• Write about 'Why' you created the artwork
• Use precise details such as where you are from, where you live, your medium and style of work
• Use active voice
• Always write in the first person. Use "I" instead of "you" in your sentences. This helps in writing a statement that is easily readable by the viewer. Do remember to keep your bio updated

A few DONT’S to remember while writing your artist statement:

• Don't be pompous. It shouldn't just highlight your accomplishments.
• Do not generalize or romanticize
• It should not be too long 
• Avoid grammatical errors
• Don't use unnecessary references or things unrelated to your work
• Do not use passive voice
• It should not read like a cliched vision statement
• Do not summarize your biographical information or CV in your artist statement

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Do get feedback about your artist statement from your friends, peers, and mentors, before you start using it. Make sure that you get at least three people to proofread it for you. A good practice is to have a friend read the artist statement aloud to you. Hearing it out loud can help you identify mistakes and assess the statement objectively.

Make sure that your artist statement converses in a simple language that everyone understands.

Remember, your artist statement will not just represent your work on your artist portfolio. It will also serve as an example of your professionalism and expertise. An effective artist statement will draw more people to your work, enhance their experience, and help them appreciate it.

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How To Write An Artist Statement: Tips From The Art Experts

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A s a professional artist, you need to have more than your work to get around in the art world. Along with your portfolio, you should have an artist statement available at a moment’s notice. An artist statement should be considered just as important as your works.

WHY DO YOU NEED AN ARTIST STATEMENT?

An artist statement is most often the front line of communication between an artist and the public. It will be used when you submit your portfolio to competitions, galleries, and museums. It may sometimes be displayed when people are viewing your works in person or on your website. If it’s online, your artist statement will be read by people from all over the world.

Useful Article: How To Create A Professional Portfolio

There are many paths to becoming an artist, through school or an apprenticeship, or through inspiration and self-teaching but no matter how you got there, being a professional artist means that you have to have an artist statement. If you have never written a statement before, or aren’t sure that your current statement is up to art world standards, it can be a quite daunting task to compose one.

Luckily, Agora Experts are here to help. Compiling years of experience in the art world, they are more than happy to share what they’ve learned.

Here are some valuable tips for writing an artist’s statement:

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

CONTENT FOR YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT

Between 150-200 words (two paragraphs) is the best length for a statement that is going to be published. It is long enough to let a viewer learn more about you and your work, but not too long that they can’t follow your story and get distracted.

What information does an artist’s statement need to include? There are three elements to consider: the “how,” the “what,” and the “why.” There should be enough information in your artist statement that someone can begin to imagine the art that you make without having it in front of them.

The ‘How’ refers to how you created your works. Many visitors are interested in knowing about your artistic process. Describe your works; what colors do you use, do you make large marks or small marks, or do you use blending so there are no visible marks at all? If you’re a photographer, what kind of tools are integral to your process?

Are your paintings abstract? Portraits? Do you take photos of landscapes? What is your imagery? When people describe what you make, what do they say? Describe the content of your works in a general way to flow from how you work to what you make.

Why do you make what you make? What does your life say about your work and your work say about your life? What symbols do you use and why? Explain the influences behind the meanings of your works.

You don’t have to have the same amount of each type of information, but it is a good idea to have part of your statement devoted to each of these categories. However, if one category seems far more relevant to your work than the others, feel free to emphasize it in your statement. You can put as much or as little of each category as you like; if your works are about the medium then you can focus more on how you make your works and if it is more about the “why” and your inspiration, focus on that. Balance your content in any way you need to.

Write down the answers to these questions on your own and then cut them down do the absolute essentials.

Once you have your content, then you can move to style.

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STYLE: THE THREE C’S OF STYLE

Every artist statement must follow the three C’s of style: they should be clear , concise , and consistent.

Use accessible vocabulary; keep in mind that your readers may not be scholars, artists, or art historians. Write like you’re speaking to a person on the street, somebody who goes to museums “every now and then,” as many of your viewers will fall into that category. Make sure the content in your artist statement is not too complex or technical. This will intimidate your audience.

Don’t go on for pages and pages about your work. Even the most interested person will get lost in too much information. You want your statement to pull the viewer in, but you don’t want to bore them.

The average museum and gallery visitor spends 5 to 15 seconds looking at each artwork, according to numerous museum surveys. You want your statement to be brief enough that they can get the essential information in that time, and that their flow isn’t too disrupted when they stop to read the statement in full.

Be consistent

Make sure that what you say in your artist’s statement matches the works that are going to be on display. If you also have a press release or biography available, make sure that your statement doesn’t contradict these texts at all. Keep updating your artist statement as you grow and evolve as an artist.

REMINDER:  An artist statement MUST be in the first person, everything is “I” not “he/she/they.” Imagine your statement is having a conversation with a viewer, it is speaking for you, and you would always say “I did this.”

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Write out your statement a few different ways and think about which one best describes you and your work. Read your statement out loud to make sure it flows properly. Read it to people familiar with you and your work and listen to their comments.

If you are represented by a gallery, or if you have an agent, see if they are available to help you with your statements. Agora Gallery, for example, often helps artists edit their statements. If you don’t feel like you’re the best writer, have someone help you correct your grammar and make sure the artist statement says what you want it to say.

REMINDER:  If you are sending your statement somewhere with a word requirement (usually between 150-200 words) take their advice and write at least that much. Whatever word count they give you is likely the minimum for certain publications, and you don’t want to be left out because you didn’t provide enough text. Many organizations have similar requirements, so you don’t want to have to re-work your statement every time you send it somewhere new.

TIPS FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS

Write your statement in your native language first, and then translate it. You can use a professional translator, or you can try to translate it with an application online. Just be sure that you have it double checked by a native speaker of whatever language your statement will be published in before you submit. Don’t try to limit yourself to your foreign language vocabulary. Do your very best to compose something for yourself.

PRESENTATION: FONT, PAPER, DESIGN

Once you have your statement ready to go, you need to prepare it for submission. You may submit to a gallery, a contest, a local collective; it doesn’t matter, they all will need your statement, and you want your statement to do its job. Whether it’s a paper submission, or online, here are some tips for making sure your statement makes it to the correct people.

Most submissions to galleries these days are online, like ours, which makes worrying about how your statement looks a no-brainer. The online forms will take care of that for you. If you have the information there, then that’s all you’ll need.

If you are submitting a printed statement, here are some tips for making it up to the art world standards:

KEEP YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT CLEAN

Make sure your paper is clean, crisp, and classic. You want to look and have your materials look as professional as possible. You are essentially engaging in a business when you submit your work to a gallery and you want to present yourself the same way.

Plain printer paper or basic letterhead is the best way to make a professional impression. You don’t need fancy paper, paper you made by hand, or special design paper to submit your statement. It may seem eye-catching at first, but in reality most fancy paper designs are distracting from any important content. If it looks like a party invitation, chances are no gallery will take it seriously. If you want to go the extra mile and use nice stationery, do not go for something with an elaborate design. A thick card stock can be nice, but keep the paper white or off-white so that it is not too distracting from the content.

KEEP YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT READABLE

The same rule applies to fonts. Make sure your font is clear and able to be read easily. You can never go wrong with basic fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Fancy fonts can take away from your content. It doesn’t matter if the font matches what you think your art feels like: if a gallery owner or buyer can’t read it, then it hurts more than it helps. You want the communication to be as easy as possible between you and your audience, so make sure that your statement is readable.

Along the same lines, do NOT handwrite your statement. Very few galleries will even read a handwritten statement as it is unprofessional. It’s also a lot of work to handwrite an artist statement, and if you’re submitting to multiple galleries, writing out all those statements is a waste of your time. It’s easiest to type it out.

If you don’t have regular access to a computer or a word processing program, you can always work on your statement online and pay a few cents to have it printed at your local copy center.

AFTER YOUR SUBMISSION

For now, you’ve done all you can. It is now in the hands of the gallery manager, collector or client that you’ve presented it to.

As you grow and evolve as an artist, you’ll want to revisit these steps as you revise your artist statement to reflect your current work. Remember, your brilliant work only does half the job. Your professionalism and other important things like your artist statement, CV and business cards make up the other half.

Useful Articles: The Artist CV and Artist Business Cards

As a promotional gallery, we take pride in the diverse group of artists from across the globe represented by us. Want to give your art more time, and leave the marketing and promotional hassles to someone else? Book an online career development consultation meeting today.

Join the discussion!   Do let us know if you have any other suggestions about writing the perfect artist statement. You can also ask your questions in the comments or email us at [email protected]! <img height=”1″ width=”1″ alt=”” style=”display:none” src=”https://www.facebook.com/tr?ev=6027680136188&cd[value]=0.00&cd[currency]=USD&noscript=1″ />

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70 responses to “How To Write An Artist Statement: Tips From The Art Experts”

I appreciate, lead to I discovered exactly what I was taking a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

Excellent Tips! Thanks for sharing it…

Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

Thank you so much for your great information, It is too useful for me. Thanks again!

I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!

I found this site a little while ago, I´m from Perú, I´m an sculptor and I am learning a lot from your tips and suggestions. There is plenty info to read and learn from. This is a great site! Thank you so much.

I am a Mexican artist. Thank you for sharing these tips to write an artist statement. It’s very easy and helpful.

I have struggled with this as an artist but this article is quite an eye opener. Thanks for sharing this, it is quite helpful to me.

Hola, soy un Acuarelista emergente, y una plataforma artística me ha pedido un Statement artístico , preparé uno pero no estoy seguro de haberlo escrito bién. Puedo enviarlo y Uds me dicen si está bien ?? Muchas Gracias ¡¡¡

Our services are limited to our represented artists, but we’re sure that our community of readers can offer you their advice so feel welcome to share it in the comments below.

Thank you this article is truly helpful.

really helpful!

As a artist, I read all article w/ this title so easily understand and organizations in my mind.

This is what sicken me with visual art. Visual art should be about visual art. Your art should talk from it self. You shouldn’t need to say nor write at all.

That being said for what modern art is this article is very well made and insightfull.Well done!

this was an amazing read, thanks for providing this such great article.

That’s an interesting article with really cool suggestions. Thanks a lot for sharing

I am an artist based in Nigeria you website and tutorials has been very helpful, thank you.

The world of art is really awesome…My father is a great artist and i loved his drawings very much…Thanks for taking the time to discuss this..

Your brilliant work only does half the job. Your professionalism and other important things like your artist statement, CV and business cards make up the other half.

Thank you for your article. When making a submission without a bio, should you sign the Artist Statement?

You should sign your artist statement so that anyone who reads it or sees it separately from all your other documents or artworks, will know to whom it belongs.

Thanks for such an amazing explanation. As a reader and a viewer, I like to know what artist think about his/her work. So such explanations in written form help me to understand better their work and they gives me a feeling of being involved in art at least somehow.

Thanks for the article. But I still can not understand why I have to write an artist statement? It’s stupid. If I wanted to write to express myself I would have been a writer. The whole idea of ​​my art is to say things visually. Why can not people just look at my art and take away any experiences they will?

Generally the artist statement usually gives the viewer a bit of context with regards to the art.

Yeah, good luck with that!

Thanks. I’ve found some very useful tips for myself.

I just thought about it today.

Nice post, containing some really useful tips. Once I was searching for some assistance in my online test writing and found 300writers.com. These guys helped me to get an A

Very helpful, thanks

Thank you, Dennis! Feel free to let us know if you’d like us to cover a specific topic.

.This was e extremely helpful. Thank You

What a great site! Thanks for all the detailed, useful info here. Super helpful.

Hei! A great peace of article! Got me inspired to look for different ways to express myself and trust my inner inspiration indeed. Thanks a lot!

Thanks For Providing good and usable information in your brief article.Will definitely a good guideline for everyone in the field of Art and paintings

Congratulation, all this tips are very helpful for presentation of artist, I will give this for other artist that belong to a Chilean Visual Women Artist MUART organization that I belong , Thanks.

Dear Solange, thank you for visiting!

Congratulation, all this tips are very helpful for artist. Thank you.

Thank you so much! This website was just what I needed to help me write my first reasonable Artist’s Statement. I’d been at a loss as how to start, or what exactly to write.

Dear LW, you are very welcome, thanks for stopping by!

I’m struggling with mine a bit and have been told many times to write an artist statement in the third person rather than first person. Is there validity to that?

Dear Vincent, as we state in the article, the statement MUST be in the first person. Your artist statement is your conversation with your audience, an introduction of yourself, and it can not be in the third person.

Vincent, I agree that the statement needs to be in first person, but it may be helpful to write the first draft in third person. That exercise may very well free you up to be more objective. Then you can switch it back. Just a thought.

This article has been a great help to me. On question though; I see artist’s bio’s and their statements on the same page, When I present this information to a gallery, should I put them on the same page or on separate sheets of paper?

Hi Lisa, we recommend that you keep your bio separate from the artist statement. It’s a very important part of your professional portfolio and we’ve written a separate advice article on writing an artist biography. Take a look at these articles, they will prove very useful if you’re working on a portfolio. How to Create a Professional Portfolio and Writing an Artist Biography . Let us know how it goes!

This is of great help to me as I have never written an artist statement. All I have been doing is draw what I can in my attempt to improve. But this would change things. thanks for the help.

Dear Anthony, you’re more than welcome!

great website!!! I love it<3

Clearly articulated advice. Very helpful! Thank you! I like your website. One always can find many very interesting articles.

I’m trying help my 11 year old daughter write an artist statement for a school art project that is going to be submitted to a contest. I’m at a total loss. This all sounds good, but for an 11 year old, the How, What and Why questions are pretty abstract. I need help! “I chose the color purple because it’s my favorite color” is probably not the kind of thing that the teacher is looking for.

Hi TJ, it’s important to mold the content of the artist statement to your needs and situation. Talk with your daughter, listen to what she has to say about why and how she creates what she does, and together you’ll be able to come up with a wonderful artist statement.

Very good advice. I was told to re-write my artist statement and didn’t exactly know what to implement other than what I had done before. Your article gave me the clarity I needed. Thank you!!

Dear Gila, we’re happy to help!

Great post, indeed. I have been looking for an info that would help me create my new art portfolio much better than the old one. However, I have a doubt about one thing. I mean about HOW? WHAT? and WHY? It seems to me strange to start a talk about my art with someone with HOW? The more natural way for me is to talk first about WHAT I do, then WHY I do that and HOW is the last point. My question is if that changed order I have proposed is equally acceptable?

Dear Danuta, this is a great question. As we mention in the article, you should balance the content of your artist statement in any way you need to. After all, this is YOUR artist statement. If you feel that you need to talk about the WHAT first, then this is what you should do, especially if it feels more natural to you.

Great article…just what I needed to know…thank you.

great article!!!

i so needed this right now. thanx. this will help me a lot.

Beautiful article. Very helpful. Can you please provide a couple of example writeups?

Thanks. This was helpful. I appreciate your time spent finding and posting this for the class. You are a good guy. Kisses, ba

Thanks, this is helpful.

Your comments are right on and remind me that from time to time I need to evaluate my statements. Thanks

You’re welcome, Jackie. We’re glad we could help!

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How to Write an Artist Statement

A complete guide.

• Artist statement videos
• Video walkthrough
• What to include
• Writing skills are useful no matter what

When will I need an artist statement?

How long should my statement be, statements for press releases.

• Statements for grants & residencies
• Statements for gallery exhibitions
• What is your elevator pitch?
• You can recycle your writing!
• Formats: overall statements

Artist statement for a body of work

Write focused paragraphs

• Writing style: be specific

First person statement

Third person statement, avoid complicated words.

• Start: identify key words
• Start: word vomit

Step away and come back

• Example: 1 sentence statement

MFA portfolios + statements

2 paragraph statement.

• Long statement: general practice
• Long statement: body of work
• Very long statement: body of work

Artist statements often feel like a contradiction for many artists, and it’s a process that most us dread as artists.

Asking someone who is used to expressing themselves visually to write a statement feels unfair, if we were good at writing we would have been writers! 

However, artist statements are an important part of having a professional studio practice, they are required in many contexts and also can be a useful process to solidify your ideas.

Artist Statement Videos

These videos provide concrete, practical tips for how to write an artist statement.

Writing an artist statement can be tough; being asked to verbally articulate ideas that we are used to expressing with visual media is challenging.

• Watch the 1 min. version
• Watch the 2 min. version (statement mistakes)
• Watch the 3 min version
• Watch the 51 min version
• 1 hour 33 min. Lecture for the Nevada Arts Council

Topics covered include critical components of an artist statement, how to write succinctly, as well as options for adapting a specific voice.

Different versions of your artist statement are discussed as well: a short version for your artist website , a 1 paragraph version for artist grants , and more detailed, in depth proposals that can be used for artist grant applications. 

Video Walkthrough

• Why writing is such a useful skill for artists to have.
• What is an artist statement, where do I need one?
• How do we talk about our work?
• Types of artist statements.
• Artist statements are used for gallery exhibitions, press releases, grants, school application, and more.
• Write your artist statement with confidence, don’t put yourself down or be self-deprecating.
• Statements for art school applications.
• Avoid writing generic statements for art school applications
• Artist statements are an ongoing process, you’ll always be tweaking your statement.
• Single sentence statement.
• Short paragraph statement.
• Should a statement be written in third person or first person?
• First person statements tend to have a friendlier tone.
• Moderate length statement.
• Grant applications with project descriptions tend to require longer artist statements.
• Write a statement that describes you overall, and others for specific bodies of artwork.
• How to get started writing your statement, try “word vomit!”
• Create a list of key words that are related to your studio practice.
• Writing an artist statement is very challenging for artists, but it does get easier!

Need help with writing your statement?

You can purchase edits from Prof Lieu on an artist statement, BFA & MFA application statements, and more.

What to include in your statement

An effective artist statement should allow someone who knows nothing about your artwork (and who hasn’t seen your artwork) to get an overall sense of what themes you are exploring.

Talk about your motivation, perhaps a brief mention of what influences your studio practice, and insight into the format and materials you work with.

Writing skills are usefu l no matter what

In general, it’s extremely useful to hone your writing skills as an artist. There are so many places where clear, succinct writing will help with your career: when writing a grant proposal, preparing for a lecture, writing a press release, and more.

You’ll need an artist statement for your:

• your artist website
• press releases
• artist grant & artist residency applications
• gallery exhibition

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Each context you place your artist statement in will require a different length.

When people read text online, unless they are reading a newspaper article, they tend to get overwhelmed by giant chunks of text. (there’s a reason why we have the term TLDR!)

Therefore, you’ll want to keep your artist statement on your artist website to a single paragraph.

The situation is similar for press releases if you are having a gallery exhibition.  Journalists won’t want to wade through a very dense artist statement in a press release.

They will want to get a quick sense of what your exhibition is all about, and logistical details like the exhibition dates, the gallery location, etc.

Prof Lieu’s Tips

I know writing these artist statements is not easy for any of us, but I think this is a really good process to go through.

Not just so you have a statement to use, there are other benefits as well.

I find writing down my ideas helps me solidify what I want to do as an artist.

Grants and residencies

Grant applications ask for a wide range of lengths, some will want two paragraphs, while others will allow you to write up to three pages. In general, these applications tend to ask for artist statements that are on the longer side. 

This is one means by which you will be evaluated as an artist; it’s an important part of your application to show that you are serious and competent about your studio practice.

Statements for exhibitions

If you are attending an opening reception at an exhibition, chances are you might meet someone you’ve never met before, or a curator who you have met before who you would like to reconnect with. 

You might only have a minute to remind someone of who you are, so have that elevator pitch ready to go!

What is your elevator pitch ?

Prof Lieu  was once at a luncheon at a liberal arts college, seated at a table with several new faculty who she had never met before. The faculty at the table were from all over the college, in economics, science, english, and more.

Naturally, as the conversations evolved, people asked about each other’s research.

You can’t go into a long rant about your artwork in a situation like this, (at least without looking like a selfish jerk) so once sentence is probably all you will get to explain what your artwork is like.

Gallery exhibitions

Galleries usually have a binder with information at the exhibition that has your CV , a price list, sometimes press clippings, and your artist statement. 

Your artist statement is an opportunity for your audience to read more extensively about your artwork in conjunction with the exhibition.

You can recycle your writing !

There’s no need to write a new artist statement from scratch for every new context you will be placing the statement in.

Keep the core of the statement consistent, and then make adjustments in terms of specific and length according to where the artist statement will be placed.

Initially, writing an artist statement can feel like a lot of work, but once you have a substantial one, it will become easy to tweak.

Statement formats

Overall artist statement.

You’ll need an artist statement that covers all of your work in general, one that holistically explains your overall approach as an artist. Talk about themes and imagery that are always applicable no matter what specific project you are working on.

In terms of materials, you can mention general areas you work in, as opposed to going into great depth about your engagement with materials.

This is the version of you artist statement that you’ll want to have on your website, and that you an use as your elevator pitch in person.

Professional artists generally create individual bodies of artwork that center around one theme with a cohesive group of artworks in the same material and format.

Therefore, it makes sense to write an artist statement that addresses the specifics of that individual body of artwork. A statement like this is best suited to a gallery exhibition where you are presenting that body of artwork.

Keep each paragraph concentrated on one aspect of your artwork.

For example, the first paragraph could outline the basic themes of your artwork, followed up by a second paragraph that goes into greater detail about the materials you work with.

If you jump all over the place, the statement will become fragmented and difficult for the reader to follow.

Keep your writing simple and straightforward, there’s no need to feel pressure to get super creative and experimental with the structure of your statement.

Writing style

Be specific.

There’s a saying in journalism to  “get the name of the dog.”  Meaning that there’s a huge difference between writing “a brown dog” and “a brown dog named Rufus.”

Naming the dog makes it a specific dog, and gives the dog personality beyond a physical description.

Your statement will be much more memorable if you get specific about what you discuss. Instead of saying that you do pen drawings, say that you draw with a quill pen and India ink on Bristol board.

Rather than state that you are a mixed media artist, explain that you use encaustic techniques that are constructed with found objects which are mounted on panels of wood.

Be confident

Your artist statement is a way of presenting yourself as an artist to the public. Therefore, this isn’t the place to be self-deprecating.  Avoid phrases like:

• I’m trying to get better at…
• I just learned this a month ago, and I’m not very good yet.
• I hope that some day I will be able to….

It can be challenging to adapt a voice that is confident in your artist statement. So often, we are own worst critics and it can feel awkward to put ourselves out there in this way. 

You’re not bragging either, you’ll simply explaining what your studio practice as an artist is all about.

First person or third person?

Whether you choose first person or third person for your artist statement is completely up to you.  Choose the option that you are comfortable with, although many artists will change to first or third person depending on the context of the statement.

First person is usually seen as being slightly more casual than third person, it’s common to see artist websites where a narrative bio and/or artist statement is written in first person.

On social media, people usually write in first person given the casual nature of that context.

Third person is generally used for more formal contexts, such an artist statement that is in  an exhibition catalog , or at a gallery exhibition . Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to first person vs. third person, ultimately that choice is up to you!

Puffed up, pretentious writing about art is everywhere.  You don’t need to look up the longest words in the thesaurus to sound intelligent when writing about your work! 

Use the words you already have, and focus on communicating your ideas.  No amount of fancy vocabulary is going to help you.

“My artwork integrates bodily  intercultural live encounters and eagages subjectively the effects  of different discourses in contemporary electric, robotic techno-science.”

Don’t know what the sentence above means?  Neither do we.

How Do I Get Started Writing My Artist Statement?

Identify key words.

If you are having trouble getting started, it helps to make a list of key words that relate to your studio practice. You can use this list of key words as means of creating short phrases, which can then be filled into become complete sentences.

Below are key words that match some of our Teaching Artists:

• Lauryn : color, pattern, environment, body
• Deepti : alien, bright, conspiracy, quirky, bizarre

It’s tempting to want to judge your writing as you write, but try to avoid this!  Sit down and just throw words and sentences down on paper. 

Don’t try to be coherent, don’t adjust as you go, this will be disruptive and prevent you from getting your ideas out and onto the paper.

Write with very basic words, even if you feel like what you are writing seems like it could have been written by an elementary school student. You’ll come back and tweak later!

Avoid the writing marathon, few people can sit down, write for 6 hours, and declare their piece finished at the end.

Instead, write an hour here, an hour there, you’ll be able to come back to your writing with fresh eyes and mistakes will be much easier to spot.

Get someone to edit your statement

If you can afford to hire an editor, it makes a gigantic difference. They’ll be able to make adjustments that would never have occurred to you! 

A good editor will be able to retain the integrity of your voice in the writing, while simultaneously bring a level of polish that gives your statement a level of professionalism that perhaps was lacking before.

Not everyone can hire an editor, so the next best thing is to ask a friend who you think has decent writing skills. At the very least, they are another fresh set of eyes.

Even better, ask a friend who is not an artist, if they understand what you’re talking about, you’re probably in good shape!

Artist Statement Examples

One sentence statements.

“My studio practice uses drawing, printmaking, and sculpture as means towards exploring the extremes of human emotion, using the human figure and face as a vehicle for expression.” Prof Lieu

“Eloise’s work explores the intersection, mechanics, and deconstruction of power, politics and narrative.” Eloise Sherrid

• Andrea Arts
• Hannah McCasland
• Zainab Zulfiqar
• Michelle Eisen

“Deepti has always been fascinated by the possibility of alien life. Often thinking about conspiracy theories and interplanetary warfare, Deepti is drawn to themes of fear and anxiety, usually finding inspiration from her own set of fears. Her work is often colorful, character driven, and light hearted.” Deepti Menon

“In Lauryn Welch’s paintings and installations, she explores how color and pattern are used on the body to express or conceal one’s identity in relation to one’s environment. Her current body of work takes a split approach between body and landscape, and is heavily influenced by naturally occurring patterns. “ Lauryn Welch

Long statement, general studio practice

“‘ Falling’  is a visualization of my personal experience with depression, as represented by a series of drawings, sculpture, and prints. The contemporary human experience, with its balance of awareness and repression of mental illness, provides both a context and a reason for this work to exist. The human face, in its infinitely subtle range of emotional expression, has been explored throughout the history of art, and remains an irresistible subject. The emotional spectrum surrounding the contemporary context of mental illness is broad, and although the topic has had increased awareness in the past several years, it remains largely a difficult topic for many. Through the lens of my personal experience and with the visceral connection that art innately creates with its audience, I seek to open and foster a dialogue about mental illness; not from an objective distance, but from the understanding and intimacy of shared pain. Depression and anxiety were frequent catalysts in my life for the loss of emotional and physical control. Unable to release myself from these episodes, I waited for the physical limitations of my body to end them. I had been so accustomed to depression’s influence for such a long time that I could not distinguish the emotions and behaviors belonging to the illness from those of my own personality. After struggling for many years without treatment, a diagnosis brought relief, and the process of unearthing myself from the disease began.” The portrait drawings are created on Dura-Lar, which has been sanded by hand to create a textured, translucent surface. I smear tacky, thick etching ink onto the Dura-Lar with my hands. After the etching ink dries, I add more definition with lithographic crayons, and scrape away highlights with an x-acto knife. Each portrait measures 48″ x 36.” Prof Lieu

Long statement, specific body of work

“‘ Emerge’  is a series of figure drawings that depict the long treatment process that began upon receiving a diagnosis. At the height of my depression, I was so deeply buried by the emotions that I could not separate myself from the disease. During treatment, the depression gradually began to fade away. As the emotions slowly left, I started being able to see myself clearly for the first time in my life. Contrary to my prior concerns about treatment, I felt more like myself than I ever had before. These drawings show this simultaneous process of the depression leaving as my true self emerges. Even with ongoing treatment, improvements do not happen in a linear way. The process is unpredictable, continuous, and never ending. At times the emotions subside, on other days the depression is almost gone and occasionally it comes back in full force. Even on my best days, the depression is always there to some degree. For this reason, the anguished figures in these drawings never completely disappear. These emotions will always be with me in some capacity for the rest of my life. These large scale figure drawings are created on Dura-Lar, which has been sanded by hand to create a textured, translucent surface. I smear tacky, thick etching ink onto the Dura-Lar with my hands. After the etching ink dries, I add more definition with lithographic crayons, and scrape away highlights with an x-acto knife. Each figure drawing measures 7′ x 4.’ The monotypes measure 24″ x 18″ and are printed on white Rives BFK paper. The figure sketches are drawn on 12″ x 9″ white charcoal paper with lithographic rubbing ink and a white plastic eraser. Prof Lieu

Very long statement, specific body of work

“I investigate ways to visually represent the emotional and physical experience of individual isolation.  ‘Wading’  is an interdisciplinary project of related bodies of work involving various techniques of sculpture, drawing, and printmaking. The objective of this project is to explore visual ways to represent the most severe form of isolation as loneliness that is experienced when physically surrounded by other people. This is a specific form of loneliness that is involuntary and imposed upon by others, creating a state of discontent characterized by bitterness and a sense of punishment. It is the presence of others what can heighten and intensify the experience of loneliness for an individual. The images in this project depict figure groups wading in water which become vehicles to visually articulating the experience of loneliness. Set within an infinite and undefined body of water, scenes of lost figures communicate moments of isolation between figures. I portray loneliness as the experience of feeling unseen and unknown within a group. The figures all collectively occupy the same space, and yet are locked and isolated in themselves, unable to perceive the figures which physically surround them in the space. These current drawings represent a process of working which involves multiple stages of development and various media. The process begins with figure sculptures which are created in order to serve as visual references for the drawing studies. The figure sculptures are begun by the construction of armatures which become structural supports for the oil based plastilene clay which is applied to them. Once the modeling process is completed, these figure sculptures are lit with natural light and carefully observed to facilitate the figures in the drawings. Preliminary drawing studies are made using direction observation from the sculptures, and later referenced in creating the final drawings.

The final drawings are executed with lithographic crayon on a sanded Dura-Lar surface, creating a coarse texture and surface in order to create suggestive, implied figures. The drawings are then layered on top of each other; the translucency of the sanded Dura-Lar surface creating the illusion of ghost-like figures which exist in their own separate reality. I work with an interdisciplinary approach which encompasses various techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. New opportunities arise with every shift of medium, which allows for a significant amount of experimentation and spontaneity in the process despite careful preliminary plans. Prof Lieu

Part 1 of a complete guide to running an art business as a self-taught artist.…

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Apr 29, 2023 7 min read

How To Write a Great Artist Statement Part 2

In Part 1, we reviewed what makes an effective artist statement.

Remember that an artist statement should:

Cleary communicate important ideas about this artwork.

And while you’re working on your statement, ask yourself:

Is this sentence in my artist statement helping to show why my work is important?

In Part 2 we’re going to analyze and re-write a fictitious example of an artist statement. The goal is to help you learn to deepen your written ideas so you can consistently produce great artist statements.

We’ll also review and discuss five actual artist statements taken from recent Salt Spring National Art Prize entries.   Re-write Example:   Artwork title: “Hydrangea and Alice”

“I have been making art since I was 12. My parents loved flowers, and always had a large garden. I became fascinated by the colour of my parents’ hydrangea, so I wanted to capture this memory of my childhood. Growing up with this flower affected me a lot. It taught me a lot about relationships. It was done with water colour. It shows the pink-red hydrangea blooms that happen with certain soils. My childhood friend, Alice, stands next to it. Alice grew up in poverty.”   Let’s pull this statement apart. We’re going to analyze each sentence and try to understand what the artist is wanting to say.

• “I have been making art since I was 12.”

How is this relevant to the artwork? If the artist can’t explain why this fact is important and relevant to the work, it is better to remove it to make space for more important information.

• “My parents loved flowers, and always had a large garden. I became fascinated by the colour of my parents’ hydrangea, so I wanted to capture this memory of my childhood.”

This is an explanation of context for the work, and context is valuable. But doesn’t this vague statement create questions in your mind that you would really like the artist to answer? For example:

• What was it about the colour of the hydrangea blooms that the artist found fascinating?
• What emotions did the artist experience along with the fascination?
• Many things in life are fascinating. What made this so fascinating that the artist wanted to capture it?

Wouldn’t it help us to understand this work better if the artist went a bit deeper to answer these kinds of questions?

• “Growing up with this flower affected me a lot. It taught me a lot about relationships.”

Here we are starting to get into the heart of what this artwork is about: the young artist’s growth and learning about relationships, through her experience with the hydrangea. But we’re going to want to get more specific and explain how the experience affected the artist, and what she learned from the experience, and what the artist’s insight offers the viewer as well.

• “It was done with watercolour.”

Great. It’s often appropriate to include the medium. Ideally, though, try to go further when talking about medium. Consider, for example:

• Why did the artist choose this medium?
• How does the medium add meaning to the piece?
• “It shows the pink-red hydrangea blooms that happen with certain soils.”

Interesting — but why is this fact important to the work?

• “My childhood friend, Alice, stands next to it. Alice grew up in poverty.”

Oh, wait! Why is Alice involved in this story? Including Alice in the painting can’t be accidental! And what does Alice growing up in poverty have to do with this?

Stating that Alice grew up in poverty may be helpful to the viewer if that fact is not clear from looking at the painting itself.

TIP Take notes about the work for your artist statement as you create the work.

  Example re-write

“Hydrangea and Alice” elucidates a childhood epiphany about my poverty-stricken friend, Alice, triggered by my parents’ hydrangea bush. The hydrangea is extremely sensitive to soil acidity. Vastly different blossom colours — in this case, pink-red ¬— result depending on the conditions in which it grows. Was Alice’s poverty a personal or familial failing, or caused by a broader context so ubiquitous as to be overlooked? The watercolour is temperamental upon the canvas substrate. Just as I experienced at the age of 13, Hydrangea and Alice evokes empathy towards “the other” and yields insight about our collective agency to influence flourishing.   Let’s break this down.

• “Hydrangea and Alice” elucidates a childhood epiphany about my poverty-stricken friend, Alice, triggered by my parents’ hydrangea bush.

The first sentence introduces the context for the work (childhood epiphany) and the major elements (Alice and the hydrangea) that contributed to this epiphany and are depicted in the artwork.

• The hydrangea is extremely sensitive to soil acidity. Vastly different blossom colours — in this case, pink-red ¬— result depending on the conditions in which it grows.

The second and third sentences explain key details about the hydrangea that are necessary for the reader to begin to understand the nature of the young artist’s epiphany.

• Was Alice’s poverty a personal or familial failing, or caused by a broader context so ubiquitous as to be overlooked?

The fourth sentence explains Alice’s role in this epiphany.

• The watercolour is temperamental upon the canvas substrate.

The fifth sentence provides detail on the medium. “Temperamental” is a carefully chosen word.

• Just as I experienced at the age of 13, Hydrangea and Alice evokes empathy towards “the other” and yields insight about our collective agency to influence flourishing.

The final sentence provides some details about the work’s impact upon the viewer.

You do not have to use this exact structure in an artist statement for it to work well. This is one way of organizing the different pieces. This example does show, however, a few of the major common parts of an artist statement that we mentioned in Part 1:

• The general background or context of the artwork
• Themes and meaning in the work
• Materials and technique used

When editing your artist statement, you should take care to fix grammar and spelling. The larger goal, though, it to try to deepen the content by making it more meaningful and insightful.

A lot of writing an artist statement is about thinking. Thinking about why you wanted to undertake the piece, what it meant to you at the time, how you see it now, and what you hope viewers will take away from it. Thinking about these things may take longer than writing the statement. That’s okay. This is hard work!

TIP: Make the words work Artist statements are usually relatively short. This means that a few well-chosen words can add a big positive improvement. Look for opportunities to substitute common and/or vague words or short phrases with a single, highly specific word. Dig out the dictionary and thesaurus!

  Five Examples of good artists statements   “ The Listener” Liljana Mead Martin, Salt Spring Island, BC The Parallel Art Show: The Matt Steffich Jurors’ Choice Award winner 2021

“’The Listener’ draws upon subjects in ecology and speculative fiction to synthesize a carnivorous plant with a deep listener. The work consists of a tree trunk: although charred by fire, it acts as a nurse log for new growths and small sculptures cast from the artist’s ear. Blue-green, fluorescent petals sprout forth from brass stems, and glass bead droplets spill out of the growths to replicate perspiring nectar. Through magical realism, “The Listener” speculates on our current environmental conditions and the potential for learned exchanges with other forms of life.”   “ Between Rock and a Hard Place ” Anna Belleforte, Amersfoort, Netherlands Salt Spring National Art Prize finalist 2021/22

“My ‘Places’ series looks at vernacular architecture in transition. All architecture, whether vernacular or monumental, echoes the society that built it. Fissures in communities eventually find their way into buildings. Decisions to uphold a structure or let it deteriorate are owned collectively. There is a deeper story than simply neglect. By capturing these moments of vulnerability, I want to express something about common human struggles. These works are built with pieces of paper: maps (of the east coast) transparently painted in acrylic, natural textures from magazine pages, and additional media.”   “ For Your Own Good ” Christine De Vuono, Guelph, On Salt Spring National Art Prize finalist 2021/22

“’For Your Own Good’ (2020) is a sculpture inspired by our reaction to the threat of Covid to our elderly population, specifically in long-term care. Although the lockdown rules aimed to keep senior residents safe from the virus, the emotional toll of being denied any visits from family, friends, or volunteers is devastating. This piece, made of 100 carved figures from identical bars of soap, was then placed in mason jars, which in turn are placed on shelves. The sculpture allows us to look in on the miniature elderly figures, who look out at us, protected from sickness but denied human contact.”   “ Self ” Tammy Salzl, Edmonton, Ab Salt Spring National Art Prize finalist 2019/20

“’Self’ links the collective turmoil of our interior lives to the changing global realities of the present. Inside a comically surprised floating toxic cloud lies an idyllic forest grove, one world within another. A pair of worn hands wring and twist within the centre of the glade. A haunting folk song begins to play as the viewer nears, embellishing the contrasting worlds with meaning and emotion. This work holds the fears and worries of being, the wonder and beauty of our troubled world and the combined strength and vulnerability of mortality.”   MamaaⱢNi (A Transformation Mask) Dave Parsanishi, Port Alberni, BC Salt Spring National Art Prize 2017/18 People’s Choice Award – 3rd Prize Winner

“Coming from conversations with Nuu-chah-nulth carvers, elders, and language teachers, I contrast the traditional transformation mask with the Canadian attempt to transform First Nations people by “removing the Indian from the child.” This is a process of my own reconciliation to the actions of my culture. With the mirrored eyes, I invite/challenge the viewer to see themselves both as the perpetrator and in the focus of the perpetrator.”

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Death of Mandisa, 'American Idol' alum, does not appear suspicious, Franklin police say

Franklin Police Department officials said Monday that no foul play is suspected in the death of Christian singer Mandisa — four days after she was found dead in her home.

Mandisa, a Grammy-winner born in Citrus Heights, California, as Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was 47 years old.

The singer died suddenly in her Franklin home and was found on Thursday. Hundley was identified by a medical examiner, police officials said.

"At this time, there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity," said police spokesperson Max Winitz. "The Franklin Police Department send its condolences to Hundley’s family, friends, and fans."

He did not provide a suspected cause of her death on Monday.

Update: When will 'American Idol' alum Mandisa Hundley's cause of death be released?

Initially, police only said they were working at a home that matched the address provided for the 'American Idol' alum on public records. The Media Collective talent agency that represented Hundley confirmed her death Friday. But the company provided no insight into her cause of death.

Hundley graduated from Fisk University, where she was a member of the famed Fisk University Jubilee singers, in 2000.

In 2005, Hundley appeared on "American Idol" and made it to the top nine contestants. Her career as a Christian artist bloomed from there. She released her first album, "True Beauty" in 2007 and debuted on the Top Christian Album charts with her first single, "Only the World."

Watch: 'American Idol' honors the late Mandisa with all-star tribute Monday

Hundley won best contemporary Christian Music Album for "Overcomer" at the 56th Grammy Awards in 2014.

As news of her death spread, other celebrities and people who knew Mandisa have spoken out on social media, saying her music and lyrics served as inspiration to them when they needed it.

"Mandisa's smile was like turning on sunshine," said singer-songwriter Amy Grant on Instagram.

Frequent collaborator TobyMac said: "I have never met an artist who is more encouraging and supportive to other artists than Mandisa."

Tennessean reporters Craig Shoup and Melonee Hurt contributed to this report.