Art Business Tips:

Writing the Artist's Statement, Bio, and Resumé

By Kelly Borsheim, 30 November 2003

As [former] TSOS Webmaster and even as a teacher at the Austin Sculpture Center, I often am asked about marketing art and especially the written materials that accompany a portfolio (including your FREE Web page on the TSOS site). So I offer the following comments in the hopes they will assist you.

Artist's Statement: Technically speaking, the "artist's statement" is anything the artist wishes to say to his or her audience. But that is not terribly helpful, is it? The best artist's statements I have read have been in easy-to-understand language, almost conversational. Unlike speaking to a group, writing gives you the advantage to speak directly to one individual at a time, since each person reads at his own pace and reading is a personal experience. So write as though you are talking to one person.

Your artist's statement is where you have the chance to explain WHY you chose to create what you have created. What motivated you? What thought processes did you go through to arrive at certain ideas or conclusions? Is there a background story to the art? Do you wish to share that? Do not be intimidated by this. Part of being an artist is self-exploration. You are already "putting yourself out there" by showing someone else your work. You have already taken the risk of self expression. So follow-through for those who would love to know more about what you have to say.

For example, SOMETHING inspired you to sculpt a horse instead of a cow or a person or a tree or a sphere. Something made you sculpt that horse in just that way. It does not have to be "deep". We all have had specific life experiences and people we admire. We all have choices. You have made many, many choices in creating a specific work of art. That is what you share in your statement. Tell your story.

Notes: Your story will change over time, as your artwork does. Do not forget to re-write your artist's statement so that it fits with the artwork you are currently exhibiting. To improve your artist's statements, read those of other artists. Note your reaction to them. If nothing else, do not do what you do not like to see done.

Artist's Bio: Your biography is the hint at the story of your life, not so much your art, but YOU. Where and when were you born, who are your parents (were they artists?), where and how did you grow up? What led you to an artistic path? Some artists do not want to share personal information with the public. How much you do is YOUR CHOICE! So what is the purpose of the artist's bio? It is to help the artist make a human connection to potential buyers. People connect with one another in many ways, but sometimes it is simply, "Oh, you are from St. Paul? My parents grew up there!" or "You are one of 6 kids? Me, too!" or "You grew up as a military brat? Well, I have traveled a lot, too." Your bio need not to be long; bonus points for relevancy to your art career.

Artist's Resumé: Think of your resumé as your art job history. This includes any education that you have, especially as it pertains to your art (or general intelligence); your art exhibits; TV, radio, or newspaper interviews; professional art jobs, commissions, or projects; membership in art organizations; or charities you have donated art to; and important (museum, corporate or private) collections your work is in. Again, do not be intimidated if you do not have a long list of art-related accomplishments. Everyone starts somewhere. Most viewers just want an idea of where you are in your artistic path. And those with long lists need not list EVERY event, just highlight the important ones.

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