So many artists' statements are incomprehensible. Yes, they show the artist has learned to write for the "secret society" of other artists (many of whom can decipher the deliberate ambiguities; others of whom couldn't care less).
In the public arena, though, statements are a way to draw in the viewer who is uneducated in art, and seeking to know more.
There's no point, imho, in writing a statement if it doesn't inform someone. So I offer (or rather, repeat) some simple rules:
Keep statements brief.
Make them understandable.
Get a friend to check spelling, grammar, punctuation.
And if you want to make your artist statement interesting to the non-art-educated public - include a simple description of how you make the work ... say briefly what materials and/or processes you use.
2 comments:
Couldn't agree more. I hate dreadful 'art-speak' and when you get someone who makes sense and can actually tell you what they're doing and why, it really does add to the experience of their work.
I so agree with you Margaret- if you take people along in your story they will respond in a much more positive way.
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