Now that you’ve gathered your thoughts through journaling, it’s time to start shaping them into a statement.
But before you dive into writing a draft, keep these guidelines in mind. They’ll help you focus your message and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Write in the first person.
It’s a statement, after all—something only you can say.
But be mindful of overusing personal pronouns (I, me, my). You’ll trim many of them during editing.
2. Stick to the body of work you’re trying to define.
Focus your statement on a single, cohesive body of work. (And, yes, you have the flexibility to write multiple statements.)
If you try to describe different styles or directions in one statement, your language will become too general—and you’ll lose the specificity that makes a statement effective.
If you work in distinct series or have more than one visual direction, write a separate statement for each. It’s more work, yes—but it honors the integrity of each body of work and gives your viewers a clearer experience.
3. Avoid discussing influences.
Don’t include teachers or historical figures who influenced you.
As soon as you name someone else, readers start comparing. You want them to stay focused on your art.
4. Don’t use quotes from other sources.
We’re not in English class anymore.
You may have been taught to begin an essay with a quote, but your artist statement should rely on your own voice. Quoting others distracts from your message.
5. Keep your biography separate.
Your bio is written in the third person.
Your artist statement is in the first person and about the art—not about you. These are two distinct documents.
6. Let your statement evolve.
This document isn’t your life’s treatise. You won’t be defined by the words you choose forever.
It should grow and mature alongside your work. Don’t cast it in bronze and consider it done.
Avoid treating it like a finished product you never revisit. A good statement can—and should—change over time.
7. Keep it short. Really short.
Most artist statements don’t need to be longer than a paragraph or two, although I understand that there is a place for longer statements that enlighten.
Always aim for brevity. If you go longer, be sure every word adds to your message. If not, cut it. (We’ll get to that.)
These guidelines will keep you grounded as you begin shaping your raw thoughts into a meaningful artist statement.
But how will you know if what you’ve written is working?
There’s one simple test your statement needs to pass—and it has nothing to do with perfect grammar or flowery language. I want to make sure you understand this before you begin writing.
