How to Write a Compelling Artist Statement That Gets You Noticed

What is an Artist Statement

An artist statement is a short piece of writing by a creative that explains their work in their own words. It typically covers:

• The themes, ideas, or concepts behind their work
• Their creative process and materials/techniques they use
• What inspires or influences them
• The meaning or message they want their audience to take away

Where is it used?

Artist statements appear in gallery exhibitions, grant and residency applications, portfolios, websites, and press materials.

Why is it important:

It gives audiences, curators, and collectors context for understanding the work. Without it, viewers bring only their own interpretation. The statement invites them into the artist’s perspective.

Getting Started

Creativity is not the domain of one single person. Through free-association of thoughts and brainstorming, an accidental suggestion can be the best solution.

Joshua Fernandez, Film Director

Getting started is always the hardest part! Don’t feel pressured to follow a specific model – approach this challenge as an exercise that can lead to new and positive ways of thinking about your work.

Gather your art in a digital space, or simply find a quiet spot in your studio. Begin with a simple mind-map; the brainstorm strategy will make the process feel more natural. Note down some words or statements that resonate with your practice and experience. These phrases will likely form the bones of your statement.

A useful exercise is to ask yourself a set of critical questions about your art, and then record your answers. Speaking aloud can be a brilliant way of keeping your answers clear and succinct. These can be transcribed to kick-start the writing process.

Here are some prompts to get you started:

About Your Work

• What do you make, and what materials or techniques do you use?
• What themes or ideas keep appearing in your work?
• What does your work look like, and how would you describe it to someone who hasn’t seen it?

About Your Why

• Why do you make art? What drives you to create?
• What problem are you trying to solve, or what question are you exploring?
• What do you want people to feel or think when they experience your work?

About Your Influences

• What experiences, places, or people have shaped your work?
• Are there other artists, movements, or disciplines that influence you?
• How has your work evolved over time, and why?

About Your Process

• How do you work? Do you plan carefully or work intuitively?
• What decisions do you make and why — colour, scale, material, subject?
• What does a typical creative session look like for you?

About Your Audience

• Who are you making work for?
• What conversation do you want your work to be part of?
• If your work could say one thing, what would it be?

Knowing Your Audience

Whether you adopt a formulaic or philosophical approach to writing about your work, try to avoid obscuring your statement with overly complex terminology. This can seem contrived and unclear. Of course it’s beneficial to use some art terms, but do so sparingly and only when it’s relevant. Even curators don’t want to read through dense paragraphs of clichés and jargon. A good artist statement will enhance the reader’s understanding of your work.

Ask yourself questions like: what do l think my audience will gain from viewing my work? Does it address a broader societal theme or topic? Why is it important that my work is seen? Does this statement conjure up any images?

Remember to revisit your statement each time that you use it. The tone you use for a grant application will differ to that of an exhibition proposal.

Do

• Draw in your reader
• Include specific references
• Rework your statement & consider the context

Don’t

• Use jargon or complex language
• Use clichés that are unrelated to your work
• Generalise or romanticise

It’s Your Work

Write your statement in the first person. You’re talking about your work and explaining why you think it matters. Adopt an objective tone and avoid telling the reader how they will interpret your art. Let them be the ones to decide. Using the active voice in your writing adds a sense of urgency, which can be beneficial when applying for funding and grants.

Note: your artist biography can be written in the third person.

Do

• Use active voice
• Make it feel like it’s written by you

Don’t

• Use passive and inconsistent voices
• Include artist biography information

Don’t Overdo It

Keep to the point and be concise. There’s no need to over-egg the pudding —you want to build curiosity in your reader.

As a rule of thumb, shorter is often better. Using your words carefully will ensure that you are only outlining necessary information, demonstrating confidence in your work.

Your statement should be between 100 – 300 words in length, although you may require both a long version (one page) and a short version (a couple of paragraphs), depending on the opportunity.

Examine every word you put on paper. You’ll find a surprising number that don’t serve any purpose.

William Zinsser, Writer

Top Tips

• Avoid repetition of phrases and words
• Vary sentence structure and length
• Ensure there is emphasis on your most significant ideas

Seek Feedback

Requesting feedback from others provides a great stimulus to learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask a friend or peer to proofread your statement. You might think you’ve provided a clear narrative of your artistic practice over time, but a friend who is already familiar with your art might be able to suggest better adjectives or phrasing (and catch any typos).

Asking someone unfamiliar with your work is also a good idea. Show them your art alongside your statement, and ask if it gives them a clear understanding of your practice.

Further Resources

Books

Writing the Artist statement: Revealing the True Spirit of your Work, Ariane Goodwin

Art-Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists, Vicki Krohn Amorose

Artists Write to Work, Kate Kramer