Artist Statement

An artist statement is a concise explanation of the resolved artwork. In the statement you should consider including the following:

1. a reflection on your thinking and working practices

2. the key decisions you made, acknowledging contextual and other influences on your artwork

3. a reflection on the purpose, intent and meaning of your artwork, and how this relates to your personal point of view if the work is framed, include how the frame is integral to the reading of the work and how it contributes to the meaning and communication of ideas.

*Please do NOT make reference to your name, the names of others or your school)

Please make reference to your initial stimulus- your theme

The artist statement of 300 words or less must be word processed, using 12 point Arial font

Examples

1. Straight Outta Cabinet

According to one of the many social media accounts dedicated to Tony Abbott's imprudent political policies and lack of behavioural control, Abbott can be described as a “mysogynist, sexist, homophobic p****, a bully, a racist (and) a liar”. These sites have been gaining a massive amount of backing by the Australian public, including myself, labelling him “the worst PM in Australian history”. Through his inappropriate behaviour such as calling women of Australia “housewives” and sensually winking at a women who mentioned working on an adult sex line, to claiming to feel “threatened” by homosexuals and thus not legalising same-sex marriage; Tony Abbott has offended and infuriated many Australians and ceased any social progress as well as gone against the Constitution’s idea of a ‘secular’ government due to his catholic affiliation.

My intention for this artwork was to express my and Australia's disapproval of, and indignation toward the recent governing of Australia and in particular, the disputable position of Tony Abbott as the Prime Minister and relate that to the points of view criteria in the 3B course. Abbott is depicted as eating a regular Australian citizen’s brain as if spaghetti to symbolise our brainlessness when electing him into parliament and the melting effect of the almost indistinguishable Australian flag is symbolic of the ruin Australia is experiencing due to his poor decisions while in power. I constructed my piece by using acrylic paint and crocheting the brain out of pink wool that was sewn onto the canvas. I was influenced by the graphic, grotesque works of Adam Cullen and adopted techniques similar to contemporary Australian artist Abdul Abdullah in the execution of my artwork to create an animated yet confronting piece.

2. ‘Mother of the Emerald Isle’

This piece focuses on the current social issue of gender equality through the representation of men and women. The central idea supporting this work is influenced by the contemporary ‘Free The Nipple’ equality movement which advocates how women should not be suppressed nor oppressed from baring their breasts in public. My piece specifically looks at the issue of breastfeeding in public and stands up for mothers who, naturally, need to breastfeed but suffer judgement and are condemned due to limited or ignorant views prevalent in our society. This piece also celebrates Ireland as one of the most advanced nations in regards to gender equality, hence the reference to the Emerald Isle. I have chosen thickly laden emerald oil paint, palette knife techniques and careful beading to help portray passion and beauty of the female figure.

Task 1 (Part 2)

Writing an Artist Statement

As an artist, you are expected to discuss your own work and the work of other artists. Becoming an articulate and effective writer can only strengthen your art-making practice. Your artist statement gives you an opportunity to define the critical conversation you want to engage through your art.

Write a 300-word artist statement documenting your understanding of your process, ideas and Resolved artwork. Present your artist statement, using Arial font size 11 with single spacing.

Consider asking yourself these questions:

· What am I trying to say in the artwork?

· What has influenced my artwork most?

· How do my methods of working (techniques, style, formal decisions) support the content of my artwork?

· What are specific examples of this in my work?

· Does this statement conjure up any images?

· How does my art relate to the art of my contemporaries?

· Who is my audience?

· What do I want others to understand about my art?