Ariane Goodwin, Ph.D.An Educator, Author, and Editorwho 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 StoryWhen 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. 2This 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 artistAnd, 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, painterP.S. Want the whole system?
1. Because an artist statement affirms what you do, and by extension affirms you.
And none of us can ever have too much affirmation.
2. Because an artist statement calls out for you to recognize the true faces of your deepest self: truth, beauty, and goodness.
And it’s about time, yes?
3. Because an artist statement invites you to experience another level of awareness about yourself and your art.
When you can update your own art experience, why wouldn’t you?
4. Because an artist statement strengthens the relationship you have with your work.
You may feel it’s pretty strong already, but I promise you’ll lift way above your level after writing your artist statement.
5. Because an artist statement builds a compelling bridge between your audience and your art.
Yes, your art is the real deal…but, if you can connect to your collectors on more than one level, why wouldn’t you?
6. Because an artist statement enriches the connection between the artist and the art.
Digging deep into the artist statement reveals more about your work than even you suspected. Surprise yourself!
7. Because it is practical. You can use your artist statement for:
8. Because it makes a deeper statement about self-trust, that you trust yourself enough to flow into another dimension of expression.
No matter how many “rational reasons” you come up with for not writing your statement, behind every one of them is a door marked “Fear.” Are you really going to let a little trepidation get in your way?
9. Because it is a powerful experience to use the tool of language to support what you love.
Even you use language when you think about your art, when you talk about your art…why not learn how to share some of that with the rest of us?
10. Because you can.
Mike drop!
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I really don’t care which reason reaches into your psyche and moves you to action. All I care about is that you muster enough courage to reveal the true spirit of your work.
Just pick one and go for it!
Truth.. Power. Art.
BTW – if going for it feels more confusing than it should, check out my book.
Because I go to great lengths to make crafting your artist statement easy and satisfying, you only have to go to short lengths to get it done!
When you’ve read as many truly awful artist statements as I have, it begins to dawn on you that maybe, just maybe, the problem is at the very beginning before sliding down the slippery slope of awfulness.
What if accurately defining an artist statement was the first step, the very first step in writing a compelling, engaging statement that truly caught the attention of your viewers instead of making them yawn.
What if we start by answering the basic question: what the heck is it?
Here are 5 parts to that question:
1. What it does
2. Who it’s for
3. A definition
4. Why it’s all about you
5. A writing tip
Here are 5 parts to that answer:
1. The Sticky Factor: An effective statement creates a personal connection to the artwork and stimulates our human thirst for “story.” This, in turn, triggers… longer memory storage, and increases the sticky factor about your art, by immersing the viewer in two languages: visual and linguistic.
2. Not Just For Your Audience: Another secret is that the artist statement is not just for art patrons and gallery owners. It is also for you, the artist. The very effort of searching for words, which reflects 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 struggle gets your juices flowing.
3. Defining An Artist Statement: Definition tells you if you’re headed in the right direction. It also saves a lot of angst and prevents you from unsightly fingernails. Here’s my definition: an artist statement is a personal reflection on what, how, and why you do what you do, from your perspective.
4. It’s About You: An artist statement is personal, as personal as your art. Your audience thinks you are magic and if they stand close enough, some of it will rub off. Let them stand close enough.
5. Details Matter: Because your artist statement originates in the written word, here’s a writer’s tip: use specific details in place of generalities. “A tree” becomes “A gnarled oak with one branch blackened from lightening.”
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Have you written your artist statement? Or polished up an old one? Tell me, what was the hardest part for you?
Websites were just revving up on this new-fangled thing called the Internet, so I headed over to a small college and found some “kids” to create a web page to sell the book directly from my publisher.
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?
