The Pangs of Writing An Artist Statement

Writing an artist statement is as comfortable a process as taking a spinning class at the gym. (For me at least, those seats provide no comfort while trying to peddle a stationary bike with added weight to fast techno music). Unfortunately in the art world, its not good enough to say, "it felt good to make it at the time and I had fun". From a very subjective and personal experience, that being the the mediated or unmediated process of making of art, you need to derive meaning, and if possible identity or a label (check out Gabriel's post below on the labeling of art).

Can't the art just speak for itself??? Sadly, no... well if you want your idea or message to get across correctly. It's a far and wide assumption to think that your viewer is going to understand your artwork just by looking at it. Many artists are aware of that just from experience when speaking with viewers themselves. "No, I wasn't thinking about so and so when I made the piece. Actually...". Yet sometimes it's intriguing to know what people's interpretations are. Sometimes a viewer catches something you never realized and it changes your perception of the piece as well. And then you are back to square one...yikes...do I need a new artist statement??? It's a vicious cycle.

You know what can be just as painful as writing an artist statement? Reading it! lol. Oi, the worry if it will leave the reader in wanting (for lack of any relevant information that the statement is hollow) or make them want to regurgitate (for too much information that it seems like you take yourself too seriously). Obviously there is a need to practice communicating, not so much BS (there's plenty of that already), but just being sensible in getting an idea across. Most art just comes from an idea, but many statements read like grand manifestos about very vague concepts. Not that I am saying there is not a place for philosophies and manifestos in the art world, from hence comes dialogue that ignite the passions of art historians and critics. People like ideas, tell them the idea behind your art. Keep it simple and if possible, relevant. How can your audience relate? When writing an artist statement, consider who you want your audience to be.

Most artists are not writers. If we were, we'd be writers. Some are lucky to also be writers. But even then, we all face that same blank canvas, be it for an artwork or that darn artist statement. It is a necessary tool to advance our art if we wish to expose it to more people, be it for profit or personal gain. Considering that and the challenge of communicating effectively, I think that is what makes writing an artist statement difficult. If any artists out there have no difficulty with writing artist statements and have had success with them, please tell us your secrets in the comments section. Or if you are like most of us, who find difficulty in writing an artist statement but none the less have good tips, please also share your secrets!

Meanwhile, check out the links below on artist statements.

"How to Write and Use an Artist Statement" by Molly Gordon
"How to Write an Artist Statement" by The Artists Foundation
"How to Write an Artist Statement" by Melissa Wotherspoon on EBSQ
"Art Narc: Bad Artist Statements" by Beth Secor on Glasstire.com