Share your "Artist Statement"

[TPPhotog]

Morton, you forgot "... all in his own artistic way"

 

[modafoto]

Morton, you forgot "... all in his own artistic way"

Oh yeah. Good to have someone correcting me when I forget stuff.

This post is btw my entry into the 4 digit club! Finally! I must be more active in discussing here

 

[35photo]

Artist Statement

I have been taking photographs for the better part of fifteen years. Most of my work is 35 millimeter black and white as well as some color and 2 1/4-inch camera work. The project I have been working on the longest is Chicago’s old Maxwell Street Flea Market. Starting seriously in 1998, I have gone there to photograph what was left of this historic part of the city and bring it back to life. I was looking to capture the raw earthiness of the place, the things I found there, and what it was like to be there. My photographs depict its buildings, architecture, graffiti, and people. Blues music is one of the things that defined Maxwell Street through the years, so my photographs show some of the area’s last blues musicians who came down every Sunday to play out on the street.

My work also consists of urban and rural landscapes, street photography, abstract work, and some people portraits. When I go out to photograph, I go out to find something that is out there and capture it in a visually interesting way. Much of my urban work consists of photographs taken when I was just out and about. A lot of my abstract work comes from going to the beach and looking for things created by the wind, water, and people. I can revisit the same beach or area and find something different every time. The photographs I have taken of people show them in their own environment. I like to capture their daily life as naturally as possible, which isn’t always easy.

Photography is a life-long passion of mine that will never die. I’ll always be in search of that image that is visually appealing that no one else sees.

Marko

www.35photo.com

 

[philipt]

Another artist statement... I tried to make it entertaining...

Not your typical “Artist Statement”
To start out with, I grew up in a fairly normal home with a Mom and Dad in Ponca City, Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University on and off (go Cowboys) where I finally (thanks to the help of Dr. Elizabeth Williams) received a degree in History. During this time I wasn’t beaten or molested by my parents or teachers, didn’t experiment with various mind-altering substances, didn’t have numerous run-in’s with “the Law” and didn’t develop any abnormal social or sexual attitudes.

I later joined the United States Navy, was trained in Photographic Intelligence and volunteered for the Special Activities Office. I saw and did a lot of crazy/awful/amazing things and got to travel to many wonderful and exotic locations. I (luckily) don’t have nightmares, substance addiction or Gulf-War Syndrome. I can carry on a conversation - with myself if necessary and I still have my sense of humor.

Why tell you all this…??? Because someone is going to look at my work and wonder why is it so sexy or asexual, dark, linear or obtuse. They will wonder if I am trying to express a hatred to authority or a long suppressed desire to be a dentist. In reality its none of those things. I like photography and I enjoy the period of American Culture between approximately 1920 - 1960. America (and the world) was developing a sense of style, most note worthy being Art Deco, Film Noir and Bauhaus. These styles were reflected in men’s and women’s clothing, advertising, cars, architecture, toys, drinks and movies during this period and have influences extending to current day.

The movies were ,and still are a major influence on my photography. Photographers from RKO, Paramount and MGM by the names of Bert Six, Bud Franker, Scott Welbourne and Laszlo Willinger helped make Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner and Myrna Loy over-night sex symbols, while actors such as Robert Mitchum, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Newman, Peter O’Toole, Noel Coward and of course Cary Grant were idealized as a the “classic” man. Another major influence is the photographer Max Baur, he along with Horst P. Horst, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Norman Parkinson and Yousuf Karsh are wonderful photographers who have helped bring photography to a respected art form. These individuals coupled with other artists ranging from Hopper to Vettriano to Rossellini and daVinci have lead to the photographs you see today.

On a more Technical note…

I enjoy and am involved in all aspects of the photographic process - from learning the functions and quirks of the cameras I own to the nuances of different films and papers I use. For those interested in my technological side I offer the following: I shoot with the following 35 mm cameras - Cannon AE-1, Minolta Maxxum 7000, Minolta Maxxum 7, Bronica 6 x 4.5 ETRSi with a 3-lens outfit - don’t ask me which lenses, I don’t know. When I feel like nothing can go wrong I drag out a Sinar 4 x 5 - often a humbling experience. I use Ilford and Fuji Black & White film or Fuji color film. I develop all my Black & White film by hand, print all my Black & White myself on either Ilford or Forte fiber paper. I have just recently purchased a digital camera.

 

[Ricardo41]

Disclaimer: this is not a comment on the artist's statements posted here, but, rather, a general observation.

I've been involved in the production and circulation of art for a long time. There are two things that turn me off of art (photography, painting, sculpture, installations, etc.) immediately:

The first one is the "artist's statement" I find these usually completely meaningless and self-serving, especially if they contain soporific philosophical statements. If the work speaks to me, I don't need the statement. If the work fails to move me, a statement won't help. If the work doesn't "say" what you want it to say, then no amount of ex post facto statement is going to make any difference.

Artist's statements are, in a sense, pure ad copy; designed to market and position an artist in the economics of buying and selling art.

The second major destroyer of art is the "academic essay" that often follows an "artist's statement" in an exhibition catalogue.

These are usually written by dusty academics who wouldn't be able to recognize art if it rolled right over them. But the academic essay is a good way for them to show off their acquired knowledge and to hobnob with the art crowd.

(As an extreme example, I've yet to read an essay by Danto on art that doesn't put me to sleep instantly).

If you want a good read on how all of this relates to the production and marketing of art, I suggest Howard Becker's Art Worlds. Becker IS a (retired) academic, but he is also an accomplished jazz musician.

ricardo

 

[Claire Senft]

Not for tender eyes.

I photograph what I want, when I want, how I want and print as I choose. I do it only for me. Anyone who does not like what I do will not likely get to see my work. So, there, like it or kiss my butt.

I am not Vincent Van Gogh. I would rather cut off your ear than mine.


Hey, lighten up I was party joking.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Sounds good to me. Mind if I steal it?

 

[bobfowler]

The "artist statement" I used back when I played saxophone for a living...

"F**k art, let's dance!"

 

[John Bartley]

I photograph what I want, when I want, how I want and print as I choose. I do it only for me. Anyone who does not like what I do will not likely get to see my work. So, there, like it or kiss my butt.

I am not Vincent Van Gogh. I would rather cut off your ear than mine.


Hey, lighten up I was party joking.

ALL - RIGHT !!! Now that's my kind of statement . I think I'll just appropriate it for my own use and change it just enough that while my plagiarism might be suspected, it won't be obvious. You don't mind eh Claire?

 

[Canuck]

"I shoot what I like and I like what I shoot ... sometimes"

 

[Claire Senft]

Whats to mind?

I would be honored if you appropriate..hell you can even confiscate it. Just please do not get wordy..I had enough problem getting it out that I would not like it to be constipated.

 

[Sino]

How's this: "I do not believe in Photography, i do not believe in Art. I believe in expression". And i mean it. =)

*crawls back to his cave*



-Sino.

 

[Lee Shively]

My statement:

"..."

 

[dr bob]

My "artistic statement"? OK:

FRANKLY SCARLET....​

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Lord-Thundering-Jeezuz Guys! Are you still kicking around this skanky, slimey, stinking road-kill of a thread? Somebody should scrape it off the baking pavement and toss it in the river so it can sink into the cold, cold depths.

Isn't it ironic that those who are against statements appear to have failed to notice that my statement which spawned this whole mess was actually against statements?! Have they read it? If they have a one person show...will they explain why they aren't willing to explain their work? That's what I did!

Murray

 

[Claire Senft]

OK.

I will not give an artistic statement because I am a cantkerous anus that think that artistic statements are best issued by the rear exit of a male bovine.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Lord-Thundering-Jeezuz Guys! Are you still kicking around this skanky, slimey, stinking road-kill of a thread? Somebody should scrape it off the baking pavement and toss it in the river so it can sink into the cold, cold depths.

Isn't it ironic that those who are against statements appear to have failed to notice that my statement which spawned this whole mess was actually against statements?! Have they read it? If they have a one person show...will they explain why they aren't willing to explain their work? That's what I did!

Murray

If one insight has emerged from this thread, it may be this:

If you are an amateur (as the vast majority of APUGGERs seems to be), you can if you wish say "I photograph what I like, artists' statements are pretentious garbage!" This may give you a virtuous glow of artistic purity and a feeling that you have stuck it to the big bad world.

If you are any kind of a professional communicator, on the other hand, you will rapidly find that typifying yourself as a "cantankerous anus" (or any spelling variant of this), while perhaps having some superficial appeal, will ultimately be greatly to your disadvantage (unless you believe that real artists starve in garrets).

Even if you intend to remain pure and unsullied by commercialism, you may care to ponder that unwillingness to write an artist's statement is more likely than not to be due to an inability to do so, that the reason for this is that you do not have a clear sense of purpose in your work, and that this as a result is diffuse and incoherent (although it may contain some fine individual images, these do not work together to form a distinct visual statement).
On the other hand, you may feel that after only 38 years in the media business, I know absolutely nothing. The choice is yours!

Off to take some more pictures! Regards,

David

 

[Dave Parker]

burp an pass bad gas is my statement...don't take life so seriously..

 

[Jorge]

Even if you intend to remain pure and unsullied by commercialism, you may care to ponder that unwillingness to write an artist's statement is more likely than not to be due to an inability to do so, that the reason for this is that you do not have a clear sense of purpose in your work, and that this as a result is diffuse and incoherent (although it may contain some fine individual images, these do not work together to form a distinct visual statement).
On the other hand, you may feel that after only 38 years in the media business, I know absolutely nothing. The choice is yours!

Off to take some more pictures! Regards,

David

Yeah well, 38 years of experience could mean the same first year repated 38 times.

Since when is it necessary to have a "distinct visual statement" to make good photography? Assuming that people who refuse to bullshit their way with an artist statement are unable to write one is the height of arrogance. As it was stated in another thread, if your photography is good enough to move people it does not need any explanation, if it is not then no amount of spinning is going to make it so.

As I said before, I dont know any photographer who is famous for his exceptional artist statement, I know many who are famous for their exceptional photography. I do agree with you that one has to have a certain amount of bullshit abilities to get a show, but funnily enough it rarely influences the desicion to get a show or not. At least in my experience.....

 

[Graeme Hird]

If one insight has emerged from this thread, it may be this:

If you are an amateur (as the vast majority of APUGGERs seems to be), you can if you wish say "I photograph what I like, artists' statements are pretentious garbage!" This may give you a virtuous glow of artistic purity and a feeling that you have stuck it to the big bad world.

If you are any kind of a professional communicator, on the other hand, you will rapidly find that typifying yourself as a "cantankerous anus" (or any spelling variant of this), while perhaps having some superficial appeal, will ultimately be greatly to your disadvantage (unless you believe that real artists starve in garrets).

Even if you intend to remain pure and unsullied by commercialism, you may care to ponder that unwillingness to write an artist's statement is more likely than not to be due to an inability to do so, that the reason for this is that you do not have a clear sense of purpose in your work, and that this as a result is diffuse and incoherent (although it may contain some fine individual images, these do not work together to form a distinct visual statement).
On the other hand, you may feel that after only 38 years in the media business, I know absolutely nothing. The choice is yours!

Off to take some more pictures! Regards,

David

I respectfully disagree with most of your statement David.

I sell my prints (more than two a day). I don't have a statement. I see no evidence that my sales are impeded by my deliberate omission of such a tome.

As I've stated before, if your photographs aren't communicating your message completely, you shouldn't claim to be an artistic photographer. However, by writing a statement to explain your work, you may claim to be a communicator if you so desire. It won't improve your photography, but you might impress a few arts graduates with your well rounded, holistic approach to your endeavours.

Artist's statements are nothing more than marketing pitches aimed at people who like to feel a sense of superiority by "knowing the artist" in a more meaningful manner. For the average person (i.e. the market I'm selling into) an artist's statement simply indicates the artist is a pretentious prat. They see the statement as a cynical attempt to sell their work. Do you have any evidence to the contrary?

I'm an average Aussie: I'm cynical about the statements, so I refuse to write one. This unwillingness has nothing to do with an inability to do so or an uncohesive body of work. It has nothing to do with a desire to remain an "unsullied amateur".

No, my reluctance stems solely from my belief than artist's statements are written by, and aimed at, wankers.

Good luck with your picture taking.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Dr. Sean...paging Dr. Sean...we have a heineously vile contamination of this threads first post...what was once simple is now fractured, disjointed, malformed, ulcerous, tedious...I know your Apugcratic Oath prevents you from pulling the plug...how long shall it convulse so violently before it dies...when it stops touching sensitive nerves I guess...as the birth Apugger of this thread I ask for no heroic measures in prolonging its life...may it, like its feverish participants, find peace...acceptance...tolerance...

Murray

 

[Graeme Hird]

Murray, it was a good question because it provoked interesting debate. It will die its own death when nobody finds it interesting.

Thanks for asking it.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Hi Graeme,

Wouldn't it be so much more interesting if the debate was over a statements content?

Murray

 

[ian_greant]

A particular statements content doesn't strike the heart of the matter.
This is a good debate!

Wouldn't it be so much more interesting if the debate was over a statements content?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

A couple of points which may be worth pursuing in a typically open-minded, calm, rational APUG way (Murray, do you have plenty of Bromo-Seltzer?):

Jorge asks:"Since when is it necessary to have a "distinct visual statement" to make good photography?" Without in any way reprising our earlier exchanges, I would contend that a "distinct visual statement" is what every photographer should strive for (as far as I am aware, Jorge's means of doing this is to make platinum prints). If you don't have this, your work may be no more than a technical exercise in craft skills.

Graeme says:"Do you have any evidence to the contrary?" All I can say is that in the circles in which I attempt to sell my work, an artist's statement is a given. Everyone contributing to this debate is coming from a slightly different place, my personal chosen field of activity (which I in no way claim is better than any other) is to produce conceptual images (with an occasional excursion into pictorialism for light relief). As many viewers of photographs are not necessarily familiar with conceptual work, I feel it is no bad thing to encourage them to "read" images in this way, whether through an artist's statement or otherwise. This in some way opens up the possibility of a response other than "Oh, that's nice!" or "I don't get it!" I remain convinced that the only way to make work stand out is through its conceptual strength. Photography today is a folk art, open to all - from the technical point of view, everybody thinks they can do it as well as you (or me).

Satinsnow writes:"burp an[d] pass bad gas is my statement...don't take life so seriously.." Fair enough, but Satinsnow evidently has a business selling custom-made focusing screens. He has a website containing a fairly long text explaining the virtues and philosophy of his product. I presume, therefore, that he would not dream of taking a customer phone call and saying "Listen, a**hole, I'll make your f***ing screen if and when I feel like it! If you don't like it, go and s**** yourself!" Yet this is the attitude which others are apparently proposing to adopt with regard to their photographic work.

Regards,

David