What is an Artist’s Statement?

An artist’s statement is a short document written by the artist which provides a window into the artist’s world. It offers insight into your art piece by describing the artist’s creative process, thoughts when creating this piece, vision, and meaning. It helps to explain your work to the viewer. The artist statement should help answer questions viewers will have about your art.

1. I enjoy creating … (sample: If I am painting merely for therapeutic reasons I most enjoy starting with an image, despite by starting point, I always deviate in my own direction, somehow it evolves into a tree(s) or repetitive shapes of circles. Nonetheless always, emotional in approach. When consciously planning a work, I like it to be symbolic and personal. I enjoy narrating personal memories, that are special to me only and those close to me.

Fill in the blanks…Complete this statement before advancing to the next slide.

2. I most want to make art when … (Sample: I desire making art, planning art or brainstorming ideas everyday, all of the time. It is equally exhausting and energetic. When my day doesn’t allow me to create or be creative I become lazy and sluggish.)

Fill in the blanks…Complete this statement before advancing to the next slide.

3. I most enjoy the feeling of …. (I most enjoy the feeling of a brush on canvas. When painting is not possible I need to feel the pressure of a pencil or a good pen on paper, not a tablet. Somehow the feeling of brush to canvas or pencil to paper releases nervous agitated energy and restores my sense of satisfaction.)

Fill in the blanks…Complete this statement before advancing to the next slide.

4. What / who influences you?

5. What have you been experimenting with lately?

6. What does art mean to you? Why do you feel the need to explore/create it?

Answer…

7. In this particular art work I strived to achieve … (In this particular art work I strived to achieve a minimal composition with the use of clean lines and a calming balance. Although simple and composed it is far from it. This work narrates a story my Zia Anna (Aunt Anna) told me. In her swift moving manner to to prepare the traditional Catholic meal, she is unaware of her husband, my late Zio Pierino (uncle Peter), actions. He refills the Olive Oil vessel with dishwashing soap and the soap dispenser with oil olive. He wasn’t trying to be comical like I remember him when I was a child, rather he is naïve about his fight with Alzheimer. Unaware, my aunt begins frying the traditional Good Friday meal of fish with dishwashing soap, and washes her hands with Olive Oil. The bubbles are beautiful, the story is funny but the meaning and truth is sad. Sad because it takes away the sprit of the person you love. I want the work to recall a special memory, personal to me. I create this work because I am afraid of forgetting. I am afraid of developing Alzheimer's, I am afraid to see others I love develop this debilitating mental illness. And so, I create art work just for me, little paintings because they are little memories, small snippets of memories, that come with no family photo or family video. I hope that this act prevents me from forgetting.)

Fill in the blanks…Complete this statement before advancing to the next slide.

8. I feel like I can best achieve (whatever you wrote in #7) with the use of….. (make reference to Elements and Principles of Design – how you use colour, shape, balance etc…)

Fill in the blanks…Complete this statement before advancing to the next slide.

9. What would you like me to know about this particular art work?

Answer…

The following paragraph structure is a suggested outline. You may choose to expand on certain questions more than others.

First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support the statement by telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations. Include answers from the first three fill in the blanks… (1,2,3)

Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions during the course of this semester. How and why do you select materials, decide on techniques, develop and refine themes and ideas? This is not an instructional manual therefore, keep technical instructions to a minimal and explain your personal art making process. Be honest. Include your answers from questions (4,5,6).

Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current work (CPT). How did your idea evolve/grow over the semester? Does it connect personally to you? What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work. Include answers from questions (7,8,9).

Now, go back and add details and specifics to your statements, edit the diction (choice of words) to beautify the tone of your statement and don’t forget to get personal with your writing.

150-250 wordstyped / double spacedcredit line at the top (include a title)

Evaluation:

-formatted (typed, double space)-organizing your ideas into paragraphs-editing (grammar and punctuation shows evidence of editing)-the use of art terms: such as explaining your work with Elements and Principles of Design-diction (editing your work to find the right choice of works – don’t be afraid to beautify it, sounding poetic)-details in your responses