About Them & You Two Truths About Your Artist Statement
Ariane Goodwin, Ph.D. An Educator, Author, and Editor who believes artists change the world!
The first truth is about them—the people who see your art, the people who are moved by your art, and immediately have this very human desire to know more about you: the person who moved them. Sure, they can stand there (or move their cursor around), and stare some more. Maybe even strike up a conversation with someone next to them about what they are seeing. “Honey, come look at this. What do you think?” Or, you could have this killer artist statement that keeps them right there, next to your work, contemplating it even more. Because, when you capture that next layer of insight and awareness–without detracting from their perspective–you have built a psychological bridge between the you, the artist, and your potential buyer. A Very True Artist Story When one of my private clients held a solo exhibition of his sculpture, he mounted an “art” statement next to each piece, following my suggestion to display the statements along with his artwork. Each typed statement was mounted at the top of a thin, metal pole rising from a stand that was shoulder height, so you could walk right up and read it, even if you were peering over someone else’s shoulder. (When you buy my book before January 14, you get a HOLIDAY BONUS on presentation techniques!) I arrived at the opening early and made a point to observe rather than engage. And what I saw truly astounded me. All evening, with over 200 guests, someone would approach one of the sculptures, glance briefly at the sculpture, then immediately turn and read the art statement. Then they would turn back with an appreciative nod or smile and really look at the sculpture, walk around it, talk about it, walk around it some more. I could almost see their brains at work on their faces as what they read registered with what they saw. At the heart of your artist statement… … lies a simple reality: an effective statement creates a personal connection to your artwork because it stimulates our human thirst for story. This, in turn, triggers longer memory storage about you and your work, because it immerses the viewer in not just one, but two languages: visual and linguistic. Artist Statement Truth No. 2 This truth is a bit sneaky because it’s not at all what people think an artist statement is for. Besides the art patrons and gallery owners, besides your website, your artist statement is also for you. Not the marketing-business you, but the artist you. When you gather up the courage to write your artist statement, it gives you a new way to reflect upon your work. When you dare to climb this small, professional Mr. Everest, a surprising view of your own work waits for you at the top. The very effort of searching for words that reflect your relationship to your art increases your creative flow. This is true whenever we engage in a form of self-expression that pushes us out of our comfort zone. Like sweat from physical exertion, the very struggle gets our juices flowing. One of the great keys to creativity is to shake things up, get out of familiar mindsets, work against the grain. Sometimes it is hard for an artist — whose artwork is based on uniqueness — to realize how easy it is for any pattern to become familiar. Writing your artist statement will draw art buyers closer to your work even as it deepens your own awareness. As another sculptor, Norbert Ohnmacht, told me:Writing my artist statement gave me a chance to focus on myself. It opened up more creative juice and self-expression than I had experienced in a long time. Taming my internal critic, and the roadblocks to my inner mind, gave me new skills to express my heartfelt emotions to others. Working on my statement gave me the opportunity to delve into my inner soul and reflect on the science of “me.” When I took the time to evaluate what, how and why I do what I do, it refined my work and gave me a fresh, determined self-confidence that I had lacked before.On the flip side, a poorly done statement lowers your credibility. Even if collectors love your work, an artist statement that comes off as arrogant, naïve, pushy, academic, or fluffy taints your artwork by association. Why take that chance? Your work deserves an artist statement that gives you the professional edge you need. Wishing you the courage to reveal the true spirit of your work,
Your truth. Your power. Your word. Claim it!
If you don’t like to write or don’t trust your writing, check out what this artist has to say about my book: Writing the Artist Statement: Revealing the True Spirit of Your Work.
“Your book was a lifesaver! The writing exercises took away my fear and made a difference, not just in my writing, but also in my work. I would have been lost and frustrated without it!” ~Lauren Simon, ceramic artist
And, this artist…
“This book is motivating and reassuring. It provides an easy, workable approach that removes the barriers to writing an artist statement. It is a great addition to any artist’s reference library.” ~R.H. McMurray, painter
P.S. Want the whole system?
Writing The Artist Statement: Revealing The True Spirit Of Your Work – by Ariane Goodwin, Ph.D. the first & only complete resource book that works for visual artists at all levels: beginning / mid-career / advanced
- Overcome writing blocks
- Avoid 7 blunders that tag you as an amateur
- Make your statement engaging and compelling
- Learn why galleries & collectors love good ones (even if you don’t)
- Use the power of sensory connection to help people remember you
