Comments on: Write a Better Artist Statement with These 3 Questions

By: Margaret Sabatino

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:30:30 +0000

Hi Stephen. I find this to be an enticing statement and I cannot wait to see those words on canvas. Love this concept.

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By: Melanie D

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 11:02:33 +0000

In reply to Eva C..

I think I know what Eva means – I am not confident when talking to people about my art, and have had more than one occasion when someone seemed very interested in a work of mine, but in the middle of the conversation about the work I can see the light go out in their eyes and I’ve lost them and any potential sale…

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By: Delilah

Sat, 08 Nov 2014 17:36:18 +0000

Thank you always need pointers on artist statement. I keep them in my folder under marketing and try to tweak them if they apply. It helps me to get started. It depends if they want a general show statement or one on each work. I have both asked for. For me it is much easier to speak about one painting then myself as an artist.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:21:07 +0000

In reply to Kelly Borsheim.

Good point, Kelly!

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By: Kelly Borsheim

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:03:04 +0000

Hi Alyson,
Thank you for this post and so many helpful others! I find the complaint about non-writers using words to get people to notice our visual art interesting. Writers DO make a visual statement! I am not speaking of how they use words to conjure imagery in the reader’s minds…
My understanding of the plight of authors is that they get the books written and then seriously struggle with the choice of the VISUAL of the book cover. Most know how important that IMAGE is to entice people to delve into the contents of the book.. Sometimes it is the deal-maker or –breaker even after one has read the summary on the back of the book.
In the end, our goal is to reach out and communicate an idea with another person. More than one person is a bonus! And each of our brains function in different ways. Why would we miss any opportunity to steer a curious and appreciative someone our way?
Now, off to the drawing / writing board…
Kelly

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By: Stephen Hall

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 20:30:49 +0000

I’m not in favor of artist statements. It’s my impression that the only ones who need to read an artist statement are art critics, curators, and consultants—all of whom are word people. The rationale for the need of a statement is to help the viewer understand or appreciate the art and the artist.
Let’s turn the tables. Let’s make it a requirement that in order to understand writers, and what they are striving for in their literary work, that they make a “visual” statement. After all, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” To require a visual artist to describe with words what they are striving to achieve in their art work is just as illogical.
Not only are visual artists unprepared to write in a cogent and effective manner about their art work, most of us can’t articulate why we do what we do—some of us don’t even know why we do it—we just do it. It’s my belief, having read hundred’s of artists’ statements, that they do more damage to the artist than good. There is mystery in art. It’s one of the major attributes that draws a collector, curator or critic to a work of art. There is no mystery in words—they are what they are—and often times they mislead.
While I’m not in favor of artists’ statements, I include one out of convention on my website:
“I dream. To slather paint on canvas. Like butter on biscuits. Melting into pools. Of delight. Running off the edges. Sweet. Like desert honey. Dripping from my finger tips. I dream. To see shapes emerge. Like a distant desert mirage. Shape shifting. With the sun. Moving motion. In summer’s heat. Constantly coalescing. In my mind.”

It’s a cross between prose and poetry—clearly, not a typical artist statement. For journalistic purposes, it doesn’t say much. But for the collector, I think it adds to the mystery.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 01:53:32 +0000

In reply to Eva C..

Eva: What do you mean “explaining can also be a lost sale” ?? Do you mean “lost art”?

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 01:52:35 +0000

In reply to Cree Scudder.

I’m glad you found it helpful, Cree. Safe travels.

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By: Cree Scudder

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:27:30 +0000

Hi Alison.
I am reading all the comments about the artist statement. Timing is always perfect!…My goal this week is to really clarify my statement and use this verbal description as the focus of my drawing as I drive across country! Then, I will incorporate the words and vision into my new series. Maybe I’ve hit more than one goal with this concept….the hard part is to do the work at hand first…write the statement! Thank you.

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By: Eva C.

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:43:12 +0000

I do wonder if explaining can also be a lost sale. There might be an art to writing the statement while interacting with the public is another thing altogether.

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