October 22, 2003
the pain & pleasure of an Artist’s Statement
Writing an Artist’s Statement It is slow, laborious and feels like walking outside in a bikini on the first days that the pools opens with 30 extra pounds of flabby white skin showing. Unlike walking around in a bikini, writing an artist's statement is something that has to be done. At least if you want to be in art shows, it has to be done.
The Contemporary Quiltart Association and Molly Gordon have produced a sheet on how to write an Artist's statement. What's unique is that Gordon's technique actually makes it sound fun. She wants us to ask questions that might be interesting to answer:
" - What is your favorite tool? Why?
- What is your favorite material? Why?
- What do you like best about what you do?
- What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out really well?
- What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or light?
- What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why?
- What is your favorite color? List three qualities of the color. Consider that these qualities apply to your work."
Those sounds more like play than pain. And those are just a few of her ideas! Next time you are sending something off to a show, pull out Molly Gordon's Writing Your Artist’s Statement and reflect.
