Crafting an artist statement may seem like a daunting challenge, as condensing your artistic practice into a concise summary can be intimidating. Nonetheless, a clear and direct artist statement is crucial, especially when applying for grants, art schools, open-call exhibitions, residencies, and other career-boosting opportunities.

When developing a strong artist statement, it’s essential to avoid generic formulas and instead focus on creating content that sets you apart from the competition.

Steering clear of predetermined models. Instead of following a formula, consider brainstorming specific content that helps your audience understand your work better. Organising your ideas before diving into the writing process. This could involve jotting down keywords and concepts on index cards or creating a diagram on a large sheet of drawing paper.

• Map Out Your Ideas:
  • Brainstorm specific content that sets you apart.
  • Organise your thoughts before writing.
  • Use prompts like creating a family tree of artistic influences.
• Start with Free Writing:
  • Begin free writing without worrying about grammar or style.
  • Write more than needed and trim it down later.
  • Set a timer to overcome initial writing anxieties.
• Edit Your Piece:
  • Put effort into editing as much as writing.
  • Learn simple editing techniques, such as the Paramedic Method.
  • Remove cliches, jargon, repetitions, and irrelevant tangents.
• Seek Feedback and Write Another Draft:
  • Have someone familiar with your work review your statement.
  • Ask for feedback on what is and isn’t working.
  • Consider artist statements as ephemeral and revisit them regularly.
  • Have multiple versions for different contexts.

Breaking down the process into smaller steps, such as brainstorming, free writing, and editing, makes the task less overwhelming. It’s crucial to view artist statements as evolving documents, acknowledging that what works today may not fit your evolving artistic practice next week or next year. Remember that committing your ideas to paper not only aids in understanding your artistic practice but also allows you to articulate it effectively to other