3+ Sample Short Artist Statement

What is a Short Artist Statement?

A short artist statement is a simple and appealing piece of writing which comprises a clear overview of an artist’s certain artwork, illustration, painting, or any other forms of art. It provides some basic info or short biography of the artist, especially about the medium he or she applied in the artwork, and the style he or she wants to express on his or her artistic creations. This is a beneficial statement which will significantly help the audience in understanding the significance and impact of an artist’s work, specifically on how their artistic creation will bring impressive contribution to the field of arts and design in the future.

According to a 2015 survey report published by the National Endowment for the Arts, there are about 2.1 million artists in the United States, of those roughly 75% fall into categories of work for which the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York has had at least one exhibition which leaves about 1.5 million living artists in the United States whose work could be displayed at MoMa. Thus, it is very important for new artists and aspiring artists to write an effective short artist statement.

Different Types of Artist Statements

Artist statements basically present the visual information of your artwork. To put it in a simple analogy, you just need to put your artwork in a written narrative or descriptive format as you guide the audience in better understanding the essence of your artistic creation. However, what are different types of short artist statements that you need to create? Below are different types of artist statements that you may consider to write:

1. Short Artist Statement 

Do you want to be simple and straightforward to your audience? A short artist statement is a simple statement which contains a short description about an artist’s work. It is typically written in an abbreviated way while the artist tells about himself or herself, his or her work, the specific art methods and techniques he or she executed, his or her past experience as an artist, and many others. Also, it is no longer than half a page as it addresses the most pertinent information about the artwork, a specific series of artwork or media. Developing an effective short artist statement is a good way to get the essence of your artwork to be recognized by your audience and it can be the lead-in to a longer project description.

2. Short Artist Statement for New Art Project

If you need to showcase your new art project to potential or new clients, you should write a very short statement about your artwork or your new art project that you are planning to present in the near future. So, create an enticing short artist statement containing 25 words for your new art project as it can be inserted into correspondence of cover letters, letters of intent, and artist biography. This will encourage your existing audience to continue looking forward to your artworks in the future and inspire prospective audiences to check on your new art project.

3. Artist’s Bio 

An artist’s bio typically contains the artist’s biography as he or she presents his or her career highlights or accomplishments, education, and a clear overview of their artworks until the present day. It should be written in third person. If you prefer to use this type of artist statement, start by introducing yourself with your full name, art medium, and some of your background details such as your birthplace, workplace location, and the time when you started your interest in making art. Writing an artist’s bio involves fully describing yourself as an artist and your art style. 

4. Full-Page Artist Statement

Also known as a one-page artist statement, a full-page artist statement is written by an artist to address a large body of artwork, or other work in different media concerning similar ideas. This type of artist statement is used as an accompaniment of an artist’s work for an exhibition and it can be also included in a creative portfolio or grant application. Additionally, it is used as a reference for promoting, describing, selling, and writing about one’s artwork by art curators, critics, journalists, gallerists, publicists, and many other media professionals.

Benefits of a Short Artist Statement

Do you want to help art dealers and other art professionals to talk about and sell your artwork? Of course, all artists want to showcase their artistic prowess through marketing and selling their artworks to the public. That’s why you need to be effective in providing the background information for feature article writers, as well as the writing professionals who create various reviews and catalogues. You can do this through writing a compelling short artist statement. Then, what are some of the notable benefits of a short artist statement? You can read the details as follows:

1. Explains the Artistic Process

Writing a short artist statement is a process that will guide the audience to learn and understand the artistic process on how the artist made his artistic creation. A cohesive short artist statement of your creative work illustrates a clear narrative on how you completed your innovative artwork and how your agenda is appropriate to the specific goals, resources, and needs of the art show or art exhibition to which you are presenting. Thus, it is beneficial in explaining the simple artistic process of the artist’s work.

2. Promotes Better Understanding

Your historical artistic accomplishments, your current art project, and the creative work you are planning to work on in the coming years are indicated in a short artist statement. With this essential information, it will help the art committee, art curators, gallerists, and other professionals in the arts and design industry, as well as the general audience in attaining sufficient knowledge and insight regarding your unique artwork.

3. Elaborates the Methods and Materials

Writing a compelling short artist statement is helpful in elaborating the specific artistic methods and art materials or medium used in creating the artwork. It provides a brief yet comprehensive description of the artwork based on the artist’s execution of certain art methods and materials.

4. Defines the Purpose or Philosophy

A short artist statement articulates the significance of your creative work to your discipline, demonstrates artistic goals, or addresses the specific needs of an art exhibition or art museum.  So, explain the reason why you are determined to start working on your artwork. In this process, you will also help yourself in defining your purpose or philosophy when it comes to your artworks.

Basic Components of a Short Artist Statement 

In this section, you will learn how to craft an impeccably-written academic short artist statement so that you are able to draw the attention of the audience of your artworks which include the art curators, gallerists, art critics, journalists, visitors and many others. However, a short artist statement contains different kinds of components. Take into account of the following elements for you to create a one-of-a-kind document:

Artist Introduction: he most integral component of a short artist statement is a simple introduction of the artist. It presents striking information as it reveals crucial information about the artist which includes his or her name, birthplace or hometown, and a short personal history. Artwork Description: Whether you are a novice or professional artist, you need to provide a brief description of your artwork to help the audience gain an awareness about your work. You may include in this section the general theme or main topic of your artwork. Add some symbols or metaphors to catch the attention of the audience.Explanation of the Artistic Process: What specific methods and materials have you utilized in order to address the issue you want to convey through your artwork? After writing the description of your artwork, describe the methods and materials that you executed for the development of your creative work.Significance of the Artwork: It is crucial that you define your artwork’s purpose or philosophy. Highlight the significance of the artwork to motivate the gallerists, art curators, art critics, journalists, and the audience to recognize and make some worthwhile comments to your artistic project. Professionalism: While developing your short artist statement, you need to maintain the professional tone of the write-up, and avoid making it sound casual. Keep a friendly tone with a proper balance of formality. Be mindful, responsible, and ethical.

How to Write a Short Artist Statement

While writing a compelling short artist statement, you need to compose your words and sentences with a sympathetic friend in mind or someone who is genuinely interested in your artwork and who wants to gain an understanding of it. What do you like the audience to know about your creative artwork?  In this matter, we suggest that you follow the simple steps below while freely using one of our short artist statement templates in this article:

Step 1: Create a Simple Introduction of Your Artwork

The first step is you need to create a simple introduction of your artwork. When you write an introduction for your artist statement, you need to think carefully and make  an intriguing title that will complement your artwork. Try to feel the essence of your artwork while contemplating a title that is perfect for your artistic creation. Then, include your name and the specific date when you had done it. 

Step 2: Describe Your Art Inspiration

Next, write a brief description about the inspiration of your artwork. Louise Bourgeois said: “Tell your own story and you will be interesting.” So, give your best effort as you tell a story on who or what inspires you and how you came up with your brilliant ideas while working on your artistic creation. Explore the things, people, places, and events that led you to create your work and note it down. Still, every artist can’t capture everything about themselves in a single artwork or reflect every side of themselves in every new artwork. Thus, you need to be a little detached from your work and see what you are doing clearly, and to follow it.

Step 3: Detail Your Artistic Process Briefly

Have some sufficient time in detailing your own artistic process while developing your artistic creation in a brief manner. Describe any special methods such as watercolor painting, acrylic painting, oil painting, etc. and art mediums or materials like sponges, leaves, petals, and many others that you have used during the development or production of your unique artwork. Always remember to present in the “first person” or writing from your own perspective. 

Step 4: Maintain Accuracy, Clarity, and Simplicity

Do your best in writing accurately and clearly by creating a strong and compelling statement without art jargon. So, you need to explain precisely why you make art, what it means to you and what materials you use. That’s why it is a great method to tell a story so that you are able to entice your audience into your artistic world. Focus on your general theme or main topic and avoid using vague words which will only create complexity in your artist statement. Plus, be careful and stay away from impressing your audience with your extensive knowledge of art criticism or vocabulary.

Step 5: Highlight the Essence of Your Artwork

What are the essence and benefits of your artwork? Point out the unique value and contribution of your artwork in the society and the people. Tell your readers the significance of your artwork, informing them how your artwork positively influence many people’s lives. 

Step 6: Prepare the Final Draft

Allow yourself sufficient time to draft. Expect that your document will have to undergo multiple revisions.  Ask for some help from your work colleagues and other professional artists in your field for efficient proofreading and revision of your document. Or you can do the proofreading for misspelled words, bad grammar, or confusing content by yourself so that you can submit your short artist statement correctly. Rewrite your statement every time you finish a new body of work. After that, prepare the final draft of your short artist statement.

FAQs

What are the different types of artist statements?

The different types of artist statements are short artist statement, short artist statement for new project, artist’s biography, and full-page artist statement.

What are the fundamental elements of a short artist statement?

When preparing your short artist statement, you need to consider these fundamental elements such as a simple introduction and a brief description of the artist’s artwork, personal reasons and art inspirations, a clear explanation of the artistic process, and the significance of the artwork.

What are some examples of a short artist statement?

Some examples of a short artist statement are short artist statement, short bio artist statement, short biography general artist statement, and many others.

What different kinds of questions are commonly asked to an artist?

Here are some different kinds of questions that are commonly asked to an artist:

  • What is the message of your artwork to the audience?
  • Who are your biggest inspirations while you are working on your artistic creation?
  • What are some challenges that you encounter while working on your creative project?
  • How do you relate your artistic project to the recent issues in society?

What is the difference between an artist biography and an artist statement? 

An artist biography is commonly written in the third person point-of-view. On the other hand, an artist’s statement is always written in the first person perspective.

Jerry Saltz, the author of the book How to Be an Artist, said: “Writing down your flights of fancy, your moments of wonder and fear, and your dreams and delusions of grandeur and putting them into your artwork is your unique way of using your creativity in your imagination and making it your compass star.” In order to captivate and earn an audience, every artist should write a clear and appealing short artist statement to convey the essence of their artwork to the audience. Thus, we recommend that you carefully follow the aforementioned tips and steps in this article so that you are able to craft a compelling and unique short artist statement. Plus, download our sample short artist statements here today!