Writing your artist statement

Louisa Buck

Published: 13 January 2016


1. Explain straight away what the work consists of and don’t be afraid to state the obvious.

2. Keep your statements fairly short - there’s no need for a thesis.

3. It doesn’t have to be perfect first time round. “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” (Samuel Beckett)

4. We want to read about you, not other people. Make sure you focus on your work.

5. Don’t suffocate or over-analyse the work. Let the air in. Rein in the lists of influences and materials.

6. Communicate your intentions. But remember it’s for others to judge the meaning and impact of your work.

7. Be revealing. But don’t unburden yourself.

8. Third person statements can sound strange - it’s your work after all. However, if someone else does write about your work, make sure we know who they are and why they matter.

9. Watch out for spelling and typos, and doublecheck your punctuation and grammar.

10. Don’t write from a defensive place. Never feel you have to defend or justify your work.

Author: Axisweb

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