10 WRITING TIPS FOR ARTIST STATEMENTS
If writing artist statements aren’t your favorite task, then putting words to your artistic creations can be challenging. It’s easy to overthink and complicate a tool used to help viewers understand your work and process. Use these ten tips to guide you through the writing process and make statement writing a bit easier.
1. Readability
The most effective artist statements are easy to understand. Every reader should be able to comprehend your statement, even someone who isn’t familiar with the art world. You may want to approach writing it as a method to decode your work for the viewer.
2. Be Specific
Sweeping statements and generalities make for a boring artist statement. In addition to generalizing, many artist statements can get packed with extra words that don’t actually say much. Being specific can help with this issue or try eliminating as many words as possible while still making your point.
3. Forget the Jargon
The word choice and language used in your statement should support the art it’s describing. Never plug in fancy language and jargon to make it sound like what you think an artist statement should sound like. Your artist statement should illuminate the artwork, not create confusion.
4, Format as Paragraphs
An artist statement is a statement, meaning it’s a short paragraph (or two). As artists, we can get creative with our artwork, but we don’t need to get overly creative with the way an artist statement is formatted. Most opportunities that request an artist statement are looking for a formatted paragraph, not a piece of creative writing.
5. Keep them Short
Keep statements short, a few hundred words or less. You should be able to distill your ideas and get to the point within 4 to 7 sentences. The statement should describe what you do and why you do it. One paragraph is the perfect length, when you write more than two paragraphs you begin to lose readers.
6. Be the Author
You can always work with a consultant or a fellow artist to help you with your technical writing, but your artist statement should always be authored by you, never by someone else.
7. Personalize
Allow your personality and uniqueness to shine through the statement. The tone and language in your statement should match the way you talk about your art in person.
8. Edit, Edit, Edit
Always have a friend read over your artist statement. An outside perspective (and a good editor) can benefit you greatly. Spelling and grammar should be on point.
9. Draft Multiple Versions
Like a resume, you should have multiple versions of your artist statement. You can have an overall big-picture artist statement, statements for a series of works, or a statement for an individual piece. Expect to need to tailor your artist statement when an opportunity has asked you to submit a specific statement, word count, or format.
10. Ever Evolving
Think of your artist statement as a working document. It’s something you should be changing and updating when your work evolves. Review your statement at least once a year to make sure it fits the art you are creating.
