Getting the Edge on Artist Statements: NCECA 2012 Stephanie A. Rozene Assistant Professor of Art, Ceramics Studio Head Hartwick College, Oneonta NY

Types of Statements 1.General Statements. 2. Statements that address a particular body of work. 3. And Statements that do a little of both. The most important part of the statement is the first paragraph, because you can reuse that first paragraph for almost anything.

The three paragraph statement First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations. Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the course of your work. How and why do you select materials, techniques, themes? Keep it simple. Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current work. How it grew out of prior work or life experiences. What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.

The two paragraph statement First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations. Second paragraph. Tell the reader more about your current work. What are you exploring, attempting, challenging and trying to communicate by doing this work. This is where you elaborate a bit more on the current body of work.

The one paragraph statement Single paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about your goals and aspirations. This should be succinct and to the point.

What kind of language should I use? Try to avoid flowery or overly academic language. This only lengthens and weakens your statement. Your viewers will most likely include some non- artists and non-academics, and you don’t want to alienate them. Keep your statement clear and concise. Some specific terms you might use in your statement are the elements of art (line, color, shape, value, space, form, and texture), and the principles of design (balance, emphasis, movement, harmony/unity, pattern, rhythm, proportion, and variety). These terms have the advantage of being art-related without being esoteric and pretentious. Use language that is comfortable to you.

Act like you know what you’re doing: Avoid, “I want to…” or, “I’m trying to…” or, “My intention is…” Simply say what you’re doing: “Rozene’s current research investigates European influences on American china. ” or, “Through the use of pattern, gold luster and imagery an ornamental language emerges which is not bound to time and place ….” Be direct. Not so much “me,” “my,” and “I” It’s hard to do, but try to avoid using the words “me, my, and I,” repeatedly. It’s annoying to read a whole page of sentences that start with “I.” Vary your word choice.

Writer’s block The more art you make, the better artist you become. The more writing you do, the better writer you become. Write every day if possible - it only needs to take a few minutes, and there’s nothing lost. Any writing is writing practice.

Make a list: If your artist statement consisted only of a list of adjectives what would they be? Spend the next 5 minutes writing down adjectives that describe or relate to what your artwork is about.

Turn to the person next to you, take the next 5 minutes to explain as succinctly as you can what your work is about. Who ever is listening, record EVERYTHING that your partner is saying, copy it if you can. Pay attention to the adjectives that they are using to describe their work. Then, switch.

Writers, circle any repetitive words, or words you feel really communicate what your partner was telling you about his or her work. Do any of those words match the artist’s original list? If not add to them. After listening to and recording what your partner said. Summarize in one sentence what their work is about.

Without reading what your partner wrote. Summarize what your artwork is about in one sentence. Write it down.