It is very hard for some artists to write an artist statement and it is sometimes equally hard for others to read. It is easier to write a bio and to tell others where you’ve been and what you’ve done. But it is so much harder to explain why.
Having an artist statement prepared is a great way for customers to connect with your work and it gives shops and galleries “sound bites” to use to promote your work. After having suffered through the agony of writing my own artist statement I can tell you that the most important thing about an artist statement is the process of writing one. I found it helped me sort out my own artistic history and methods. It has helped me to clarify the direction of my work and it has jump started a new body of work. Despite already knowing how important one was to have, it’s not something I’d written for myself.
I was recently in the position where I had to send in my artist statement. 500 words. Five.Hundred.Words. OY! I procrastinated for a few days. Then I cut and pasted bits of things I’d written. I sent it in. And was told, “This is not an artist statement”. I knew that, but found the exercise very difficult. I’m not one to ever stand up and say, “I did this and it is awesome.” I needed help, so naturally I did some research.
A friend of mine pointed me to this site: http://www.gyst-ink.com/artist-statement-guidelines/ this one is good too: http://www.artstudy.org/art-and-design-careers/sample-artist-statement.php
I rewrote my artist statement. (After I raided my kids’ trick or treat bags, walked the dog, tidied my studio…procrastination is one of my rituals before writing.) I read some guidelines about artist statements and I started over. I hope my new version is a real artist statement. And I hope that when you need to write one you can remember that they are very hard for most artists to write—give yourself a break.
Jeannette Froese LeBlanc is a studio artist living in Rural Ontario Canada. She is inspired by the landscape and history of Canada. The structure of trees inspires her as much as people’s portraits. Both are re-occurring themes in her jewellery and photography. To see more of her work please follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassyandstella/