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HW Kateley

9 Years Ago

Artist Statements, Straight Forward Or A Bit Inflated?


Personally, I think a straight forward artist statement with a bit about yourself and your work is the way to go. I also think the ones written in 3rd person seem odd since I assume the member probably wrote it. Others would disagree on both points I suspect.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkArjlbphog/UEvXGHZaALI/AAAAAAAABqg/jDm3dHuNEFI/s1600/calvin-and-hobbes-postmodern+art-2.gif

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Rhonda Falls

9 Years Ago

It depends on what audience the artist is trying to reach at the time the statement is written. As far as third person, a lot of professionals have someone else write their statement. They may give the writer or editor the information. A lot of artist are simply more interested in producing work then having to explain who they are as an artist and why they chose to create a certain piece. It is very much about individual preference.

 

HW Kateley

9 Years Ago



So, if someone has some else write their statement, wouldn't they want to attribute it?

like:

"this guys great, etc"

Joe Shmo, Fine Art Director, etc

 

Ronald Walker

9 Years Ago

There are times where you need to write in the third person for a gallery. The statement should explain, in the quickest way, what you as an artist are up to.

 

Marlene Burns

9 Years Ago

I like consistency. The majority of my bios are in third person because the first gallery so suggested. I trust their acumen.
An artist statement is something else. That would be appropriate only in first person. I have both and use them as needed.
FAA asks for a bio.

 

Lonnie Christopher

9 Years Ago

Hire a professional writer that specializes in art if you want it done right. Rosalina on PeoplePerHour.com does some great work: https://www.peopleperhour.com/freelancer/rosalina-jh/expert-arts-antiques-design-writ/607336

 

Joseph C Hinson

9 Years Ago

I think the FAA/Pixels bio is actually more artist statement, therefore refortifying my belief in doing it in first person and keeping it somewhat low key. That's why mine starts, "It was a cold and damp night in late March 1970 when I came into this god forsaken world with a camera in my hand..."

 

Artist's Statement -- Straightforward, but showing a bit of personality. Brief; half a page, or so. All about the art. 1st person.

Bio, casual (usually written for online sites and as handouts) -- Relaxed but informative, depending on the particular venue. 1st person.

Bio and CV/Resume, formal (usually written for a gallery or show) -- Professional tone and structure. 3rd person.
(Every gallery I've shown in has requested 3rd person pov.)

This system works for me. I avoid artsy jargon, at all costs; for instance, you'll never find something like this in my Artist's Statement . . . though I've read too many that sound similar -

My recent work is an exploration of the irreducible act of mark-making, which re-encodes ambiguity and authenticity by disjunctively animating it through a process of mimicry.

( From 'Gurney Journey's Artist Statement Generator' - http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2009/12/artists-statement-generator.html )



 

Murray Bloom

9 Years Ago

I see an awful lot of artists' statements where the statement makes the artist sound like the best thing since sliced cheese. Unfortunately, more often than not, the images don't live up to the hype. An endless list of local or unknown contest results doesn't really do much good; perhaps unless you won. Second or third place or an Honorable Mention is worthless. Remember, as Vince Lombardi said, "Second place is first loser." Also, if I see another use of the word passion in a bio, I may barf. Typically it involves something like, "I was born with a passion for photography;" or something similar. Calling yourself an amateur or newbie artist can't help, either. Would you go to an amateur or newbie doctor?

Typically, I dislike third person statements, since nobody knows who's saying it. Most of the time, it's a poorly disguised attempt to convey the impression that someone else likes the artist or the work; or that the artist is well-known. I think it's better for the artist to honestly describe themselves, their artistic viewpoint, and their work in the first person. It's more engaging to the reader, like the artist is speaking directly to them.

 

Kenneth Agnello

9 Years Ago

"My recent work is an exploration of the irreducible act of mark-making, which re-encodes ambiguity and authenticity by disjunctively animating it through a process of mimicry." Hey, Wendy, you cited me and mine!

Seriously, how about this long-winded example of Dissectionalism in the Nuclear Age from 1985, if one cares to read: "The conception of dissectionism as a significant and relevant movement in the nuclear age shall point out that art and science, in general, existed not only in the perception of nature alone, in which self expression cultivates the consciousness of the self and in-itself, but outside the poisonous course of modern perspective. Dissectionism has rendered its lineal measure so deep that the common center is dissected. In all points of philosophical views, the line of compartmental perspective, without acting on one-path alone, are united by social and logical forms. It is quite different from the universal –geometrical field of spatial dimension. Further, it is not also relativistic in terms of the bodies in motion; and, scientifically not equated by the strings of darkness."

And this is just an excerpt--the essay goes on for pages!

 

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