Artist statements can be tricky to write. Despite offering a few guidelines here, only you know why you made your artwork and why it’s important. What you choose to say leave out of your statement will depend on its themes, materials, and presentation. Below are some helpful considerations for getting started and drafting your artist statement. Two examples of artist’s statements (a formal one and one that’s more casual) from current art professors at the University of Illinois are also included at the end of this document.
Format and Presentation
- Artist statements written for grants and scholarships may have a minimum or maximum word count, but statements generally tend to be between 1-3 paragraphs long.
- It’s okay to include some background information on yourself, but not so much as to lose sight of the statement’s purpose. Statements written for museum exhibitions will often ask you to write a biography section separate from the artist’s statement. That’s to make space for you to talk about your life and past creative experiences without making the statement too long.
- Consider where the artist’s statement will be seen. Is the statement meant to be read with the artwork next to it? Or will it be read alone on a website or poster? Knowing the answers to those questions can help you decide the length and focus of the statement.
Themes and Context
- Focus on highlighting elements that will enhance the audience’s understanding of your work. For example, if your artwork was symbolically painted with egg yolks but a viewer can’t tell from quickly looking at it, that detail would be good to include in your artist statement.
- It’s helpful to describe any connecting threads between artworks if you’re presenting more than one or are trying to give a bigger picture of your practice. For example, a statement could include a sentence like this: “This series of drawings explores alienation through melancholy scenes of lone figures in bedrooms, bathroom stalls, and cubicles.”
- Tailor your statement to the context it’s being presented in. If you’ve submitted artwork to an exhibition themed around environmental activism, then the statement you submit could include details about your past interest in environmentalism and what it means to you.
Creative Flair
- There are many ways to be creative with your statement. If you have experience with creative writing, incorporating imagery or poetic language into your statement can help it stand out and create a vivid mental image for your audience.
- An example of how creative writing can be integrated into your artist statement is Steven Hudson’s from his website, linked below. Laurie Hogin’s is longer and more formal, but her website covers 20 years of artwork.
Examples of Artist’s Statements from Illinois Fine and Applied Arts Faculty
- Steven Hudson, Teaching Associate Professor of Studio Art, Painter: Statement
- Laurie Hogin, Professor of Studio Art, Painter: Artist’s Statement
Getting Started
- Take a macro view of your work. What commonalities and differences you see across different pieces? How has your work evolved over time? What stories unfold across your work?
- How do you want people to feel when they look at your art? Do you want them to learn something, leave with a new perspective, or make new connections?
- List out 10 words that you associate with your work. Which stand out? What themes do you notice?
- Answer what, why, and how: What medium do you work in? Why do you make this work? How do you make this work, and why do you use those processes and/or materials?
- Who or what inspires you?
- How does your work relate to broader artistic, social, political, environmental, or personal contexts?
- Have a friend or Writers Workshop consultant interview you and ask questions about your work. Record the conversation or make notes.