the inevitable "artist statement"

as I know many of you have websites and/or are browsers of many websites of photographers.
Im being challenged to create an artists statement for my photography. Im interested in reading any and all that I can before I tackle this. Just ot gather an insight into what peoples thoughts are for this "1 page" description of what we do that is indescribable in words. (ironically enough)

any links of interesting or noteworthy ones would be appreciated.... or thoughts as well.

just thought Id see what the community thinks or feels about them.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

As for what I think? I know that many people read them, but they are usually rather generic sounding to me and rarely leave any impression at all. For once I'd like to read someone write in first person and say it clearly and without all the lofty bs. That would make ME more interested in the work...

joe

scootermm said:

as I know many of you have websites and/or are browsers of many websites of photographers.

just thought Id see what the community thinks or feels about them.

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I think they are a good idea, since they give the visitor to your website a little idea about the person behind the images.

I've been thinking about updating mine, but here it is.

http://www.visionlandscapes.com/About.aspx

thanks for the thread link.
I posted this and realized I should have just searched as I get irritated seeing numerous threads of the same ilk and I happened to have added to it.

Im writting this artists statement as a requirement for the Graduate in MFA(photography) program Im applying too in the next week. probly should have stated that from the get go.

btw yours is short and too the point roteague I like that. very unpretentious and honest.

Well Joe, my posts was aoout a bio, and not an artist statement...

An artist statement is not written for other photographers, it is written for the public.

Scooter, just write an honest description of what you do and why you do it. Keep it short and sweet.

Well Joe, my posts was aoout a bio, and not an artist statement...

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There were some useful bits in the thread... I thought it would help... Sorry.

For my penance I supply these links...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

http://www.artist-statement.com/

http://www.artistsfoundation.org/html/afa/freeinfo/statement.html

http://www.mollygordon.com/resources/marketingresources/artstatemt/

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=artist+statement&meta=

Scooter, just write an honest description of what you do and why you do it. Keep it short and sweet.

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I couldn't agree more.


joe

scootermm said:

Im writting this artists statement as a requirement for the Graduate in MFA(photography) program Im applying too in the next week. probly should have stated that from the get go.

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Good luck on your MFA. Let us know how it goes.

BTW, I may down your way this summer; I'll let you know. I have two brothers in Austin and my mother lives in Marble Falls. I haven't seen them in years.

roteague said:

http://www.visionlandscapes.com/About.aspx

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throw away everything but paragraph #2

Bonus Penance Link: http://www.yhchang.com/PERFECT_ARTISTIC_WEB_SITE.html

Scootermm - This is the most important advice you will get regarding this -

GET SOMEONE WHO HAS AN MFA TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR STATEMENT!

I am doing the same thing, and this is VERY important to do. Your audience is ONLY the profs looking at the work. PERIOD. They don't like it, you ain't getting in. So get some help. The person helping me spent 3 months working on a statement for her MFA thesis with Joyce Numanis(sp?). So take it for what it is worth.

Also, have them look at your work. There is little guidance out there on what to do really. Have someone who has done it look at your stuff.

I do assume you have a single 15-20ish image series you are submitting and not just 15-20 different images. Because if you don't have a series, and I mean a coherent single body of work all relating to ONE MESSAGE, save your money, work on it for a year and then try next round.

bjorke said:

throw away everything but paragraph #2

Bonus Penance Link: http://www.yhchang.com/PERFECT_ARTISTIC_WEB_SITE.html

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Yup, you nailed it this time!!!!

bjorke said:

throw away everything but paragraph #2

Bonus Penance Link: http://www.yhchang.com/PERFECT_ARTISTIC_WEB_SITE.html

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I agree with you; the 1st paragraph is c**p, the third doesn't fit with the second, which is the best one. Perhaps, someday I will learn to write.

Loved the link, but really got tired of it after about 10 minutes.