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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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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