An artist statement is an integral component of creating and showing your work. It is a written statement that discusses your work to the viewer.

The artist statement is not meant to be a substitute for your work, but merely just a helpful guide.  Not meant to tell the viewer what to think about your work, your statement instead gives viewers a reference point in which to interpret your work and come up with their own conclusions (Maybe this pieces is part of a larger body of work or perhaps knowing the material used to make the piece has some conceptual significance like the sculptures of Joseph Buoys?).

Writing an artist statement helps you pull your thoughts together.  Being able to put into words the basic idea behind your work makes it easier for you stay focused and resolved in your work. You can write a statement discussing a particular piece, a series of work, or an entire body of work.

Your artist statement should answer the common questions viewers will have when seeing your work. 

Answer questions like:
1. Why do you make your art?
2. How do you make it - what is your process?
3. What is your favorite tool and why?
4. What materials is the work made from and why?
5. What does your art means to you? How do you know when a piece is complete?
6. What elements of you process do you use that you were taught? What elements of your process are different than the way you were taught?
7. Where do you derive your subject matter from and why?

When writing your statement make sure to keep it brief. Keep your statement close to 100 words.  Write two or three paragraphs of no more than 3 sentences each.  This will keep your thoughts focused and will keep you from over burdening the reader with unnecessary details. You will find that if you use the statement to create questions in the mind of the reader, rather than overpower them with answers, they will be more interested looking at the work and talking to you - asking questions. This is a statement, not a manifesto. 

Keep in mind that this document isn’t necessarily meant for people with the same education in the arts as you and thus shouldn’t be too filled with artistic jargon.  Use language that everyone can understand.  An artist statement is similar to a corporations mission statement as it is a prepared document for you and your viewers to communicate. 

When you first start writing don’t think too much about the end result.  Work quickly, answering the above questions in a string of consciousness.  Try writing a list of words that your works makes you think of.

Once you have some raw concepts down and your internal dialogue is in process you should begin to organize your thoughts in sentence form. When you have a draft together you should have your statement proofed by both someone who has an Art background and who knows your work very well in addition to  someone who is more of layman and is new to your work so you can see how it reads to others. You can use the feedback to help you get focused and tighten up your next draft. Be prepared to go through several revisions.