How to Write an Artist Statement:
Write an artist statement that discusses your personal artistic approach and explains your body of work this year.
FORMAT:
What is an Artist’s Statement?
Your way of communicating with the outside world about your work.
CONTENT:
Although there is no ONE right way to write an artist statement, the following suggests a format and topics that you should try to discuss.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Who are YOU as an artist?
- Discuss your overall approach to art and reasons / attitude towards art when beginning this course
- Discuss themes that you have explored through the semester and how you chose to approach them (overview only)
BODY PARAGRAPHS: What were your Art Pieces about this semester?
For EACH art piece you created, discuss the following...
- Provide the credit line (title of the piece (underlined or italicized) and medium used)
- What led you to this idea (i.e. inspiration from life / research / brainstorming, etc.)?
- What is the piece about (i.e. meaning / symbolism / subject matter)?
- How did you use media, elements & principles, colour theory, etc. to help express your idea?
* It is suggested that you discuss each work in its own paragraph.
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH: What have you learned as an artist?
- How has this course / these pieces helped you to develop as an artist?
- How has your art / artistic approach changed over your years as an SJA art student?
- What have you found challenging, frustrating, enlightening, etc?
- What has the whole experience taught you about yourself?
FORMAT:
- Length should be approx. 1-2 pages, single-spaced (12 point font)
- SUBMIT TYPED COPY FOR EVALUATION
- Be prepared to present orally
What is an Artist’s Statement?
Your way of communicating with the outside world about your work.
- Written component to your art work
- It offers insight into a single piece or body of work
- Discussion of the components of your art, and explanation of your decisions/meaning
- Gives the artist a chance to explain the personal elements in your art work
CONTENT:
Although there is no ONE right way to write an artist statement, the following suggests a format and topics that you should try to discuss.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: Who are YOU as an artist?
- Discuss your overall approach to art and reasons / attitude towards art when beginning this course
- Discuss themes that you have explored through the semester and how you chose to approach them (overview only)
BODY PARAGRAPHS: What were your Art Pieces about this semester?
For EACH art piece you created, discuss the following...
- Provide the credit line (title of the piece (underlined or italicized) and medium used)
- What led you to this idea (i.e. inspiration from life / research / brainstorming, etc.)?
- What is the piece about (i.e. meaning / symbolism / subject matter)?
- How did you use media, elements & principles, colour theory, etc. to help express your idea?
* It is suggested that you discuss each work in its own paragraph.
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH: What have you learned as an artist?
- How has this course / these pieces helped you to develop as an artist?
- How has your art / artistic approach changed over your years as an SJA art student?
- What have you found challenging, frustrating, enlightening, etc?
- What has the whole experience taught you about yourself?
