WRITING YOUR ARTIST STATEMENT
Why is an artist statement important? An artist statement is primarily to help the viewers relate to your work by helping them gain insight to the vision of your piece. Think of this statement as a verbal compliment to your visual worship.
Three things to consider:
Clarity - get to the point, too many words may ruin the visual message.
Brevity - Rely on key points. We are restricting the number of words to 100 in order to help the process along. All key information should be at the top of the list.
Focus - Is the theme communicated well? Is God glorified and how? What influenced the work? What is my piece trying to accomplish? What am I as a creative person trying to accomplish? What message do I wish to convey?
What to say about the work:
Material used
Inspiration
Theme
It is impossible to impart everything you may want to say about your artwork, so be a rigorous editor. While some biographical information may be necessary, use it sparingly and only as it relates directly to the theme…Remember, our efforts are supposed to ultimately point to The Creator.
Art theory should be used sparingly as well, art jargon and complex ideas tend to gum up the works and confuse those without degrees. Be transparent and honest but don’t be too casual or chatty.
This is a document not an e-mail. Do not approach the statement with any sort of dread …you are not bragging on yourself, but rather Worshipping The One Who gave you your talent.
This process will help you to understand your own work better, enrich you as an artist, enlarge your sense of community or career and advance God’s name and kingdom at the same time.