Many artists mistakenly believe that using art world jargon lends their work an air of sophistication. However, the truth is quite the opposite. Your statement should sound like you, not an imaginary theorist, professor, or curator.
Complex language can often obscure your work, while clear, accessible language can help readers genuinely connect with it. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid, along with practical techniques to overcome them.
1. International Art English (IAE): You’ve undoubtedly read this vague and convoluted language identified in the insightful article in Triple Canopy. IAE tries to elevate art through nonspecific terms like “problematize” and complex grammar, such as “my work interrogates the ontological structures inherent in the suburban environment.” Use clear, original, and genuine language that reflects your work.
2. Avoiding “I” and “me”: Using passive constructions to avoid the first-person can make your writing seem indirect or weak. Instead of saying, “The sculpture was made using…,” use the active voice: “I made this sculpture using…”
3. Abstract Nouns: Avoid using too many abstract nouns that can obscure your meaning. Instead of “The conceptualization of my work involves the juxtaposition of…,” simplify to “My work juxtaposes…”
4. Opening with Quotes: While quotations can be powerful, using them at the beginning of your statement can make your writing seem derivative or reliant on others’ ideas. Begin with your own thoughts and ideas to make a stronger impression.
5. Including Praise: Avoid including praise from others, such as “My work has been described as…” In a first-person artist statement, including praise from others can sometimes come across as boastful and/or insecure. Trust in the strength of your own voice
6. Vague Binaries: Is your work really “at the intersection of tradition and innovation?” Is it truly “blurring the lines between reality and illusion?” Instead, describe how your work combines classical techniques with contemporary themes or incorporates realistic elements within fantastical narratives.
7. False Range: Does your work “range from photography to ceramics,” or do you make photographs and ceramic art? False range creates a continuum where none exists. A discerning reader will know that your influences do not include “everything from Shakespeare to sushi,” as this is a meaningless breadth.
8. Defensiveness: Write about what you are doing, not what you are not doing. Instead of saying, “I do not feel as if I am limited to production within a single medium,” focus on what you do: “I work across multiple mediums to…”
9. Generalities. Use specific examples and avoid generalities about your work. If you want to point out how an idea functions for you, show how it functions in a particular piece. Don’t feel like what you say must be equally true of everything you make.
10. Forcing Viewer Experience: Phrases like “The viewer is invited…” attempt to dictate the viewer’s experience of the work. Clearly explain how and why you’ve presented your work without being prescriptive.