Writing a good artist biography and artist statement can be a daunting task for any artist, however it is important to learn the skill as it can help excel your art career. A well-crafted bio or statement can improve your chances of getting accepted when applying for grants or submitting to galleries. It also allows your audience to connect with you on a deeper level as an artist. I will get into the details of both further into the blog, but simply put, together they can tell a compelling story that connects you and your audience and drives the appreciation of your art.
In this blog I want to focus on three main questions to ask yourself before you begin writing either one:
What message do you want to convey to your audience through your bio and statement? Answering this question will help you determine the tone, style, and content of your bio and statement, ensuring they resonate with your audience and effectively communicate your message. It is often recommended to write the bio in third person for formality, however you can still let your personality shine through with flourishy vocab or your witty humor.
Who is your target audience and what do they want to know about you? This is the time to tell who you are! Understanding your audience’s preferences and interest will enable you to craft a bio and statement that is engaging and compelling for them to read. Let's be real, the majority of people do not care about the unnecessary facts of your life. Try to keep your bio concise by only including major life events, education, and experiences that shaped you as an artist. Your statement should reflect the piece(s) you currently are displaying—whether that is on your website or at a gallery—and give the viewer more details into the process of creation.
What sets you apart from other artists and why should people care? This one relates back to question two in a way. Try to identify your unique selling points and communicate them effectively in your bio and statement. This will help you stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of your audience. A few points you could touch on for this question are: did you have a special moment in life that steered you into a specific medium?; maybe the way you are using a medium is different?; is your work pushing conventional norms?. There are so many ways an artist can be different—it just takes a little time to self-reflect and to truly understand what makes you unique.
The Differences between the Two:
An artist bio and an artist statement are both essential tools as it is the main way for an artist to communicate their work. Both serve different purposes and contain different types of information as mentioned.
The TLDR version:
Artist Biography: Focuses on the artist's life and career, providing context and background.
Artist Statement: Focuses on the artist's work and ideas, explaining the concepts and intentions behind the art.
Artist Biography Format
The main purpose of a bio is to provide your audience with your background, which can be split into three main points. Personal Information (details about your life, such as birthplace [and how that might have impacted you as an artist], education, and significant life events); Professional Background (your art career, professional achievements, exhibitions, awards, and residencies; lastly, Artistic Development (how your work has evolved over time [the themes, influences, and important milestones]).The tone (writing style) of a bio tends to be more factual and informative as it focuses on the history and achievements of the artist. Artist Biographies can include more details than an artist statement, meaning you can write a few paragraphs to a full page.
Artist Statement Format
An artist statement is where you talk more about your work, the concept(s), and the intentions behind the art. The main content you can include is: Artistic Vision (your philosophy, ideas, and motivation that drive your work); Process and Techniques (explain the methods, materials, and creative processes used in creating specific artworks); Themes and Concepts (discuss the themes, concepts, and messages that you are exploring in your works); lastly, Contextualization (if applicable, explain how your work fits into broader artistic movements, cultural contexts, or social issues.Writing an artist statement is less formal in tone, however keep your audience in mind. You can write this one in first person to convey your thoughts easier. Also, try to keep your statement to about a paragraph or two. Most galleries will have a max word count so take it case by case.
Conclusion
Overall, crafting a compelling artist biography and statement is important to effectively communicate your artistic journey and your body of work to the world. Remember, the biography serves as a factual account of your life, achievements, and development as an artist, while the artist statement provides a personal and insightful glimpse into the concepts, motivations, and processes behind your creations. Together, they not only build your professional identity but also help your audience connect more deeply with your art. By investing time and thought into both, you lay a solid foundation for presenting your work to galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts, ensuring your story and vision resonate long after the first encounter.
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