Artist Statement

Objective:  Create a strong artist statement that explains your intent in making the artwork and supplements the information available so that the viewer can better understand your work.

Process:  Draft an artist statement based on the following guidelines.

• Short: Less than 150 words.

• Clear: Use simple accurate language (concise sentences, no jargon).

• Compelling: Use strong statements of ideas, sources and inspirations.

• Supplementary: Address topics not apparent in the work but that contribute to how it is viewed.

DO NOT

• Do not talk about how you feel about your work: “proud, happy, frustrated…”

• Do not talk about the mistakes you made or what you didn’t do.

• Do not describe how the viewer should feel about your work.

• Do not talk about process or materials unless it contributes to the idea.

Here are some questions to get you started.  These are prompts, do not feel you need to include them all.

• What inspired you to make it?  What was the source of your idea?

• What impact do you want to have on the viewer?

• What ideas/meanings did you discover in the process of creating it?

• What ideas/themes were involved in creating it?

Here is a sample from a student’s digital photography project. 

“In these images I want to evoke emotions through shadows. Different objects and extra mediums like sawdust helped decipher each image’s emotion. Throughout this process I was able explore meaning through manipulating visual elements."