Write an Artist's Statement

What is an artist's statement?

An artist statement is what, how, and why you do what you do, from your perspective. It can be created before, during and after you make your art.

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Context

When do you need this?

An artist uses an artist's statement to tell people about his or her art and artistic process. It is about communicating clearly about the art you make for your audience, teacher, gallery owners and others.

Tools
Steps

Step 1

Personal Connection

Art is a personal process. What personal connection do you have to your art? What is the connection between your art and yourself?

Ask yourself:

  • What kind of art do I like to make?
  • What connection do I have to this piece?
  • How do I feel about this piece?
  • When I made this, I ________.

Step 2

Materials and Techniques

Artists work with a medium or mixed media. What materials and techniques do you like to use? Why? What is special to you about them?

Ask yourself:

  • What materials or objects did I use?
  • What techniques did I use?
  • What is special about these materials or techniques?
  • How do I feel about working with these materials and techniques?

Step 3

onnection to the World

Your art is a voice to the world. What are you trying to say about the world or about anything or anyone in it?

Ask yourself:

  • What issues or themes did I explore in this piece?
  • What do I want people to see when they look at my work?
  • How do I want them to feel? What do I want them to do?
  • This was made referencing _______________.

Step 4

Sample Artist Statement

My art is a way for me to communicate to others about different social, political and economical ideas that I have. More importantly, though, it's a way for me to communicate with myself and the deeper layers of myself in a very immediate and meaningful way.

My practice is primarily drawing based, so I am not limited to any one particular material or technique. I started off doing a lot of work in charcoal. It was cheap, messy and wonderful and I could just fly with it! Currently, I paint with acrylics and oil paints. I recently taught myself how to use spray paint and I'm loving that experience.

When I look around at the world, I see a lot of things that bug me and there are a lot of things I like to talk about through my art. I mainly try to work through things that are happening socially, politically or even spiritually and those are the things my art expresses. I think that no matter what your message, its important for artists to know that what they are doing is very powerful in its ability to affect change.

Artist: Jason Botkin

Video + Blank Artist Statement Organizer + Sample Artist Statement Organizer = Your Artist Statement Plan