Artist Statement Examples

Artist Statement Examples Artist Statement An artist statement is a very specific type of writing in which artists engage. An artist writes an artist statement to reveal his or her own thoughts about the creative process, the purpose of the art, and the influences of others on his or her artwork. There are no set criteria for an artist statement, but the artist does want to address several key areas: 1. The artist should discuss what he or she has created. 2. The artist should discuss how it was created-the processes and materials used. 3. The artist should discuss why it was created-his or her underlying purposes and the meaning behind the art. 4. The artist should discuss influences on his or her artwork, as well as connections to other artists and works. Examples of Artist Statement: Excerpts of Artist Statements from Famous Artists: "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else... Nobody really sees a flower - really - it is so small - we haven't time - and to see takes time... So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it." (Georgia O'Keefe) "I don't paint things; I paint only the differences between things... I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me. What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue." (Henri Matisse) "I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them. It doesn't matter how the paint is put on, as long as something is said. On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting. When I'm painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a get acquainted period that I see what I've been about. I've no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own." (Jackson Pollack) "I paint from the top down. From the sky, then the mountains, then the hills, then the houses, then the cattle, and then the people. I look out the window sometimes to seek the color of the shadows and the different greens in the trees, but when I get ready to paint I just close my eyes and imagine a scene. I'll get an inspiration and start painting; then I'll forget everything, everything except how things used to be and how to paint it so people will know how we used to live." (Grandma Moses)