statement

I read a lot of artist statements. “Read” is a generous word. Mostly, I endure them.

You know what I’m talking about.

In my Magnetic You course, I walk you through a journaling process for writing your artist statement. The format I’ve created asks you questions that make it easy to collect words that will contribute to your statement and other marketing material.

Once it’s written, you have to edit it. And you always want to be improving your artist statement.

Tips for Editing Your Artist Statement

Here are 5 things to look out for in the editing process.

1. Don’t say your art is unique.

“Unique” doesn’t mean anything and, odds are, your work isn’t. Almost all art is derivative of informed by other work and anyone who knows art history can point to an artist who did it first place your art in that context.

But your work does have qualities that make it yours rather than someone else’s. Instead of using the word “unique,” describe your work in a way that makes the reader think it’s unique.

2. Remove the things that every artist says.

I see the following phrases in so many statements that they put me straight to sleep. Do NOT use these in any version in your statement.

Aside from your contact list, your artist statement is your most useful marketing tool. You will use language from your statement for wall labels, brochure text, website text, informal presentations, conversations and more. The process of writing your statement – and it is a process – will help you gain clarity about your art. You