Seminar: artist statement
I was feeling pretty confident about my artist statement which I had put together from our previous seminar about artists statements, but after today I think I need to really consider what my work is about and make it sound more professional. Especially after reading some of the professional artist statements of Alec Soth, Scott Grummett and Lottie Davies I now realise that I need to add more. During the session within my partner I was given the artist statement of Alec Soth to read through and find anything that was either good or bad. His statement certainly looked professional and well known as he had no mention about the work that he makes. Ross suggested that because he is so well known that artists may well miss this information out. It was very factual, discussing all of his achievements, awards and exhibitions. However they dated back from 2004, so we thought was it necessary to go that far back when his most recent dated to 2017? The statement was certainly short and sweet, something most people are more than likely to read to the end rather than losing interest. Soth may be well known however I think his statement would have been more interesting to read if there was some information about his work.
At the beginning of his statement he mentioned where he was from. Should we all be putting where we are from into our statements? Apparently we should only really include them if they are relevant to our practise. Mine doesn’t have a lot of relevance to my project at all, therefore I will most probably leave it out. If including facts about achievements, awards and exhibitions it may be best to keep it recent. It ends up filling more space and if they’re interested in your work they will be able to see more achievements, etc on your website/Instagram etc. Most of the photographers statements spoke in the third person, but some spoke in the first. Which is the preferred and most professional way of writing our statements? Ross said there is no right or wrong way of writing it. It is down to a personal opinion. Obviously for a famous photographer it makes sense to have it written in the third person - especially if it is their agent who is writing it for them. For someone like myself who is not well known and starting out the first person seems more appropriate. When talking in the first person consider how I will talk about myself… DON’T write “my work does”. Try to avoid certainties and instead write “my work aims”. Some other things I can include into my statement is my university degree, especially if I finish with a 1st as this is something people will be interested in and looks good. Following on from todays session, I’ve noted down my answers to the questions on the sheet Ross handed to us. I found this really helpful which has made me want to re-think my artist statement. What do you do?
I photograph people, objects and places with relevance to the loss of my mother. Why do you do it?
I find it comforting. Discovering that I can keep her memory alive in photos not just of her but in my own, documentary way is something I’ve enjoyed most about creating this work. How do you do it?
Capturing people, objects and landscapes in a documentary style. Focusing mostly on my family who had close connections with my mum such as my brother and sisters. Also objects that I can relate back to her, like her jewellery and clothes that I remember her wearing before she passed. What are you currently working on?
At the minute I’m stepping away from portraits and focusing on the objects and landscapes. I feel the portraits aren’t working for me so far so I’m moving on and hoping I can put all three subjects into the work after experimentation. I want the work to celebrate my mothers life but also represent the emotions felt during and after her loss. Have you won any awards, been published, exhibited? I have exhibited with a group at the Two Fat Ladies in Norwich (2015) and at The Truman Brewery in London (2018) also part of a group.
At the beginning of his statement he mentioned where he was from. Should we all be putting where we are from into our statements? Apparently we should only really include them if they are relevant to our practise. Mine doesn’t have a lot of relevance to my project at all, therefore I will most probably leave it out. If including facts about achievements, awards and exhibitions it may be best to keep it recent. It ends up filling more space and if they’re interested in your work they will be able to see more achievements, etc on your website/Instagram etc. Most of the photographers statements spoke in the third person, but some spoke in the first. Which is the preferred and most professional way of writing our statements? Ross said there is no right or wrong way of writing it. It is down to a personal opinion. Obviously for a famous photographer it makes sense to have it written in the third person - especially if it is their agent who is writing it for them. For someone like myself who is not well known and starting out the first person seems more appropriate. When talking in the first person consider how I will talk about myself… DON’T write “my work does”. Try to avoid certainties and instead write “my work aims”. Some other things I can include into my statement is my university degree, especially if I finish with a 1st as this is something people will be interested in and looks good. Following on from todays session, I’ve noted down my answers to the questions on the sheet Ross handed to us. I found this really helpful which has made me want to re-think my artist statement. What do you do?
I photograph people, objects and places with relevance to the loss of my mother. Why do you do it?
I find it comforting. Discovering that I can keep her memory alive in photos not just of her but in my own, documentary way is something I’ve enjoyed most about creating this work. How do you do it?
Capturing people, objects and landscapes in a documentary style. Focusing mostly on my family who had close connections with my mum such as my brother and sisters. Also objects that I can relate back to her, like her jewellery and clothes that I remember her wearing before she passed. What are you currently working on?
At the minute I’m stepping away from portraits and focusing on the objects and landscapes. I feel the portraits aren’t working for me so far so I’m moving on and hoping I can put all three subjects into the work after experimentation. I want the work to celebrate my mothers life but also represent the emotions felt during and after her loss. Have you won any awards, been published, exhibited? I have exhibited with a group at the Two Fat Ladies in Norwich (2015) and at The Truman Brewery in London (2018) also part of a group.
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