Artist Statement Resources
Author: Peter Elbow; Title: “Writing Without Teachers” by far, the best
book I’ve found to advise artists on how to write.
Author: David Bayles; Title: Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils of
Artmaking – inspiration and encouragement.
I’ve taught Writing for Artists for many years at The New School, and that
Elbow book (until I write my own book!) is the only one I know that can start an
artist off with the right attitude. What does Elbow say?: That you can’t know
what you’re going to write until you begin writing. Writing, my artist friends,
is a Process – no different than painting or printmaking or sculpting. Over-think
it, over “outline” it, and you’ll kill your own creativity. No one wants to read
something cliched or boring or dry.
My advice: Don’t make your artist statement sound like a “statement.” Make it
sound like you.
Stay away from telling us what your work is about.’ Tell us about’
yourself, and what you do. Just start with that, and be honest. Your reader will
figure out the rest – and will be grateful to you for letting them make their own
conclusions.
Here’s my do’s and don’t list from recent workshops. It’s better when
internalized, over time. But for those who want a quick fix, here you go:
If you want me to edit or re-write your statement, you can contact me
here
.
About Sarah Schmerler
I’ve been an art critic and journalist in New York City for 12 years. My
writing has appeared in newspapers like The New York Post and The New York
Times, weekly magazines like TimeOut New York and The Village Voice, and monthly
and bi-monthly publications like Art in America, ArtNews, Photograph, Art &
Auction, and Art on Paper.
I’ve taught writing at The New School, and art history at Pratt Institute’s
School of Professional Studies and Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn.
I’ve developed a writing methodology specifically geared toward visual artists.
I help artists write great statements about their own and others’ work.
And I’ve run an artist-writer collaborative called CoLAB since 2007. (You can
read about our exploits soon.)