Writing an Artist Statement
While artist statements aren’t necessary in all exhibition situations, a one-page
statement is a degree-requirement at the University of Saskatchewan. In fact, a
thoughtful and well-directed text can enrich the work for viewers who may be unfamiliar
with you, your work or the assumptions you make.
There are many different approaches to artist statements. Review the PowerPoint
presentation “Artist Statement Writing” on the website for tips
(http://www.usask.ca/snelgrove/forms/).It is useful to research web resources and look at
what other artists have written to help determine your approach.
Start with the following basic building issues:
Media and techniques
 Discuss the medium chosen and why?
 Are you drawn to particular qualities of the medium?
 Is your application of the medium unique and does this impact the final
appearance of the work? In what way does this impact the final appearance of
the work?
Style, composition and subject matter
 Describing your style can give the viewer important clues to understanding your
work.
 What artist/art schools have affected your development as an artist?
 How do you locate your work within an art historical context?
 How does your work differ from other artists working under the same influence?
 Is there a narrative in your work? If so can you describe its content?
 Be concise. Describe your style in simple and powerful terms.
Vision and Purpose of your work
 Tell the viewer what drives your artistic impulse and indicate what you hope to
achieve with your work.
 Discuss what you hope viewers might gain from it.
 Consider how your art is unique and different – and how it integrates with its
precedents. Ask people, including peers, advisor(s) and faculty to describe your
work, its relationship to other art, to you and how they feel about it.
Writing a Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum vitae (pl. curricula vitæ or curricula vitarum) translates as the course of one’s
life. A curriculum vitae (C.V.) is the standard compilation of one’s professional
achievements in academic and artistic fields. Unlike the résumé, a C.V. does not have
an overtly promotional function. It lists professional achievements under categories
including: exhibitions, education, professional experience, grants, bibliography,
published writing, professional affiliations etc. It situates the artist in terms of educational
background, professional experience and networks of interest. There are many guides
available on the web. Here are a few:
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U of S Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) Guide:
http://students.usask.ca/current/life/employment/resume/cv.php
College Art Association:
http://www.collegeart.org/guidelines/visartcv
Purdue Online Writing Lab:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/641/01/
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