Personal artist's statement or mission statement?

[daveleo]

I myself cannot see how any of these "statements" can serve the purpose of Art apart from making it look more vapid than some of it already is.

I have a theory about this. But first . . . I very much agree that a project plan can help enormously to keep a photographer / artist focused while creating a particular body of work.

But, as for "artist's statements, why?" . . . I think this need came from gallery owners who hesitate themselves to study and summarize / critique / describe an artists body of work. It's easier and safer for them simply to ask the artist to write something up.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I have a theory about this. But first . . . I very much agree that a project plan can help enormously to keep a photographer / artist focused while creating a particular body of work.

But, as for "artist's statements, why?" . . . I think this need came from gallery owners who hesitate themselves to study and summarize / critique / describe an artists body of work. It's easier and safer for them simply to ask the artist to write something up.

Dave, gallery owners are merchants, not scholars or critics. It isn't their job to critique the products they sell. Their job is to sell; critique and scholarly investigation of an artist is best left to museum curators and art historians. For living artists, the best authority on the artist's work is the artist himself.

 

[Michael Markey]

I have a theory about this. But first . . . I very much agree that a project plan can help enormously to keep a photographer / artist focused while creating a particular body of work.

But, as for "artist's statements, why?" . . . I think this need came from gallery owners who hesitate themselves to study and summarize / critique / describe an artists body of work. It's easier and safer for them simply to ask the artist to write something up.

Ah yes ...I`m all for having a plan but freely admit I find this idea of an artist statement rather cringe worthy.

I have begun to wonder myself where this exercise in self importance came from .

Surely the work should speak for itself and not require some lame description of intent appended to it.

 

[Boris Stupak]

If you want to see a treasure trove of embarrassing semi-literate sophomoric clap-trap, just type "artist's statement photography" into Google Images.

(the first one that appears is as hilarious as it is inane)

 

[RichC]

I myself cannot see how any of these "statements" can serve the purpose of Art apart from making it look more vapid than some of it already is.

Some of it doesn't.

Also, the audience is important - the statement should meet their expectations.

Much art since "postmodernism" revolves around theory - especially philosophy, art history and critical theory - and the audience for this contemporary art is highly knowledgeable about these areas. And like all specialist areas, art theory has its own jargon: for example, "index", "gaze" and "other" have very particular meanings in art, far removed from their everyday connotations.

If you want to be a professional practising artist today or work in that area, it's almost an expectation - like all other specialisms - to have a degree in it, preferably a master's, in order to be taken seriously.

Whether you agree or disagree with this trend in art is neither here nor there: it is what is.

Of course, a statement for a general audience should not be full-on art theory jargon!

 

[Michael Markey]

If you want to be a professional practising artist today or work in that area, it's almost an expectation - like all other specialisms - to have a degree in it, preferably a master's, in order to be taken seriously.

Oh dear ... how distressing.

Still ... if they are serious about it I suppose.
Is seriousness another requirement ...one hesitates to ask. 🙂

 

[airfrogusmc]

If you want to see a treasure trove of embarrassing semi-literate sophomoric clap-trap, just type "artist's statement photography" into Google Images.

(the first one that appears is as hilarious as it is inane)

If the statement doesn't relate and doesn't give any real insight into the intent of the work it can be a laugh riot.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Still ... if they are serious about it I suppose.
Is seriousness another requirement ...one hesitates to ask.

It's always worth asking but can you keep a straight face when you get the answer?

😉