subject: Artist Biographies and Personal Statements [print this page] An artists biography or personal state- ment needs to pack a punch; it needs to be high on the show and lower on the tell. It is in these documents that you make the all-important connection with someone who wants to have the artists creative work as well as his/her story. This story adds value to the artwork. It is com- posed of compelling and descriptive insights into why and how the work was done. This biogra- phy may be what really convinces a collector to acquire a certain piece of art by any particular artist. You, the artist, can tell this story formally in third person, or you can use the more person- able ?rst-person form. Explain the traditional 5 Ws - who, what, where, when, why and how you became involved in art in the ?rst place. The key to this background portion is to write thoughtfully, honestly, and clearly using simple language that eve- biography may contain items similar to one, such as place of origin, level of education, artists who in?uenced you, societies you belong to, locations where your art can be seen (website, galleries, etc.) shows you have par- ticipated in or others that are coming up, awards that have been won, and contact information. It is important to include when and where your art career began and how it has evolved. The more personal and intimate the biography and personal statement, the more real and vital a communica- tion tool it will be. The more emotion invested in the human tale, the stronger and more per- suasive it will appear to the consumer. When you sit down to begin work on the biography, the ?rst step is to remember the facts and set them down on paper. This may be the most challenging part of the process, especially if you have had various include, such as workshops you have taken. If you are self-taught artist then ways in which you have acquired art expertise is of interest to art collec- tors. These experiences can come from books, videos, television artists, visits to art shows and galleries and demonstrations you have attended. There are in- numerable ways in which skill and knowledge is developed. Your personal statement, either as part of a biogra- phy or on its own, is where you allow the ?ve senses to work for you. It expresses how you think and feel about creating art, a unique expression of your ideas. It allows you to access your own mind and share your passion for the work you are doing. This statement illustrates the enthusiasm you have for who you are as an artist. Topics that may be ad- dressed in your statement can include what interest- ed you in your subject mat- ter, your current interests, how you feel when you are is the perfect place to talk about the artists that in?u- enced you and your work (if you did not already do so in your biography), and you may include historic quotations or quotations from clients or the press. If you have a message in your artwork, this is where it can be discussed and clari?ed. You can speak about the other types of media you use and which elements of it you are cur- rently exploring. The crux of the personal statement is that you want people who wish to acquire your work to feel as if they know you well. This brings to mind the Chesire cat of Alice in Wonderland repeatedly asking. Who are you? If you can answer that ques- tion eloquently and from the heart, you have your personal statement!
Artist Biographies and Personal Statements
By: Valerie Kent
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
