I used to have my artist’s statement on the website. I removed it, because it was weak. It boiled down to things many documentary photographers say, so didn’t serve its purpose. An artist’s statement should articulate vision and means in a way that both the artist and audience can understand and follow.
Here’s a short, helpful article about how to write an artist’s statement. Why write an artist’s statement?
While I believe strongly that the work must speak for itself, and that no amount of verbal deconstruction will make up for a poorly-conceived or executed idea, a good artist’s statement is essential if the photographer has any desire for recognition or progress… I have found over the years that the photographers who can speak or write clearly about their work also produce the most affecting and powerful images.
The article goes on to say, “You have to have some idea of why you want to make the work and what you want to express with it.” Once you have the Why and What, a good artist’s statement should have the following qualities:
- Clarity
- Brevity
- Humility
- Awareness (of other work that has preceded and inspired the artist)
Here’s my take on this. The artist needs self awareness, including awareness of external sources of inspiration, in order to articulate Why and What. Then a good statement should be clear, brief, and humble. There is no need to impress people with words if you have really done the work.
So I am giving myself an assignment to write a new artist’s statement that simply and clearly states my Why and What without falling into the traps of vagueness or pretension.
