
XPACE recently hosted a workshop on writing an Artist Statement.
Here's a brief summary of some do's and don'ts to writing one.
1. There are two kinds of artist statements.
(i) One that explains your overarching practice; and
(ii) One that explains a specific work.
2. Statements should be about 300-500 words.
(i)
What “is” the work?
(ii)
What do we see or experience?
(iii)
What is at stake?
3. This is not a mystery novel. Start with a one-sentence
description that encompasses all of the above to some extent – especially what
it is – then unpack each of the listed items as is needed.