On Artist Statements (for artists and non-artists alike)
If you enjoy this newsletter, help us grow the community by sharing it with a friend. As sometimes happens, I had a different post scheduled for this week, but something came to my attention that begged to be written about. Jerry Saltz, the Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic for New York magazine whom I respect and with whom I agree 90% of the time, posted something on social media about artist statements that compelled a rebuttal: He goes on: First, a short primer for non-artists and new collectors¹ about artist statements: An artist statement—whether it appears on the wall of a gallery or on an artist’s website—is a finicky and mercurial requirement that is often a source of great consternation for artists, and rightly so. Imagine someone asking you to distill your life’s purpose and philosophy in under 300 words, and you’ll have some sense of the task. It’s nearly impossible. And yet, artists are asked to do it all the time. Part of the difficulty is that an “artist statement” means different things in different contexts. Sometimes, it’s a generalized description of an artist’s practice that follows them from show to show and doesn’t change. Other times, an artist is called on to make a statement for each body of work. Both of those things are referred to as “artist statements” even though the latter is actually a “work statement.” But that’s a topic for another time. I agree wholeheartedly with certain things that Saltz says, namely: don’t waste your words telling us that your practice can’t be put into words. But, to me, the fact that he has to specify this is indicative of a much larger issue, which is that the overwhelming majority of artists are visual thinkers and have a difficult time translating the experiences that they’re having in the studio—and the motivations that brings them there—into written language. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve interviewed artists over the years who’ve said to me, “Talking to you is helping me understand what this body of work is about.” Sometimes it requires a conversation to be able to metabolize and externalize all of the thoughts and feelings you’ve had alone in the studio for months. It’s not always as simple as sitting at your keyboard and pounding out 175 words when someone (who can easily do that in their sleep) tells you to. For the artists who struggle with writing about your work, consider asking a trusted friend if you can talk to them about what you’re working on and if they would be so kind as to take notes on the points that stand out to them (non-artists: consider volunteering yourselves in this capacity to the artists in your life. I guarantee it will be a glorious conversation). This will help capture your voice and to crystallize the main themes of your work. And because you’re talking to someone who knows and loves you, your creative and vulnerable self will come forward more than if you try to sit down and write a disembodied statement that you think strangers will want to read. Another strategy is to picture a member of your community—preferably a young person or an elder—who doesn’t know anything about art but is curious about what you do. If you knew you could have their undivided attention for three minutes, what would you want to say to help them appreciate your work? Furthermore, the function of an artist statement is not, as Saltz says, to describe your work “so a blind person would have an idea of it.”² Anyone can do that. An artist statement should be something that can only come from you, an intimate window into your practice, your brain, or your soul. I’ve read hundreds (thousands?) of artist statements over the years, and in preparing to write this piece, I wanted to share one with you that has stood out and stayed with me during that time. It was written by Ervin A. Johnson for his 2017 exhibition titled #InHonor:
As you can see, there’s some description of the work itself, but the statement functions as a generous, human, fallible container for it. We feel like we know the artist, that he trusts us, that he has invited us to see under the hood. It’s not formal or stilted or full of big fancy art words. It’s honest and raw and straightforward. Please don’t misunderstand: I’m not saying that artists are required to open a vein for our benefit. Quite the contrary, sometimes a body of work is purely aesthetic or comes from a place of unadulterated delight. If that’s the case, say that. We will revel in your delight along with you. Work doesn’t have to come from pain. It just has to come from you. Similarly, let your artist statement be something that only you could write at the moment in time that you write it. It doesn’t have to speak for you forever. But if it’s simple and honest, it will speak to us for a very long time. 1 We have a No Art Lover Left Behind policy here at OUT OF THE BOX. No elitism allowed in the clubhouse and no one is ever assumed to have a certain level of art knowledge. So, if you ever have a question about something, or if I’ve failed to make something clear (which, forgive me in advance, is inevitable), please ask in the comments! No question about art is ever too small or too big or will ever be disparaged. If you’re wondering about something, you can be sure that lots of other folks have the same question. 2 Mind you, this is an entirely different conversation about the importance of accessibility and accommodation. Every artist and every art space needs to be able to provide descriptions of the work for anyone who needs or wants them, but that is not the same thing as an artist statement. |
Older messages
A Long Answer to Your Short Question
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
A reader asks how new art collectors can figure out the true value of something they're interested in buying.
The Systems of Power Reinforce Themselves
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
The goal is to build systems that allow for people to be held accountable, for redemption, and for us to move forward without having to bury our heads in the sand.
Put These Seeds in Your Pocket
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
This post is dedicated to each and every act of resistance, no matter how big or small.
Dear ______
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
I'm wondering what I would want someone to write to guide my trip each day. And what I would want to write to them.
Taking Down the Establishment in Six Easy Payments
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Anytime I hear someone refer to art collecting as the domain of the wealthy and the powerful, I want to scream.
You Might Also Like
'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Leads Sleepy Christmas Eve, 'A Complete Unknown' Strikes A Chord With $1.4M Previews
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 25, 2024 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Leads Sleepy Christmas Eve, 'A Complete Unknown' Strikes A Chord With $1.4M Previews By Anthony D'
Bob Dylan's 1969 Rolling Stone Interview and More
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 25, 2024 Bob Dylan: The 1969 Rolling Stone Interview The elusive songwriter goes on the record in this 1969 interview By Jann S. Wenner Knockin' on Bob
winners and losers
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Our last Trapital episode and memo of the year: a two-part special on winners and losers of 2024 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
‘Carry-On’ Closes In On Netflix All-Time Top 10 As ‘Virgin River’s Return Takes Top Weekly TV Spot
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 24, 2024 'Carry-On' Closes In On Netflix All-Time Top 10 As 'Virgin River's Return Takes Top Weekly TV Spot By Peter White This email was sent
A Guide to Trump's Ongoing Grifts
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 24, 2024 Trump's Grifting Blitz Continues: Bibles, Guitars, Crypto, Assassination Attempt Cologne The president-elect has continued hawking Trump-branded
Christmas Box Office Getting Richer With 'Nosferatu', 'A Complete Unknown' and More Joining 'Sonic' Charged Marketplace; 2024 Domestic Eyes $8.75B Final
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 24, 2024 Christmas Box Office Getting Richer With 'Nosferatu', 'A Complete Unknown' & More Joining 'Sonic' Charged Marketplace;
‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ Crosses $70M In Four Days - Monday Box Office Update
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 24, 2024 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Crosses $70M In Four Days - Monday Box Office Update By Anthony D'Alessandro This email was sent to newsletterest1
Flow State Best of 2024
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Listen now (128 mins) | Here's our list of our 50 favorite albums released in 2024. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Spotify Newsletter #237
Monday, December 23, 2024
Your Weekly Dose of Spotify News ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
'Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim' Heading Into Homes After 14-Day Theatrical Window
Monday, December 23, 2024
View on web New reader? Subscribe December 23, 2024 'Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim' Heading Into Homes After 14-Day Theatrical Window By Anthony D'Alessandro This email was