https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3uJlIseOU0
Communicative purpose:
discourse strategies:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HlMATZOMv_IUZLFHIsjIkX65Jso20JOqdJrd9sWJ6DQ/edit?usp=sharing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/majasavic/5619671565/
http://www.wesleyfleming.com/about.htm
http://vimeo.com/10369690
Communicative purpose:
- the self-assertion of the artist's personal aesthetics/philosophy underlying his/her work in general, or a particular work/exhibition
- stating the reasons for creating one work or the other, themes, identifying oneself with a style
- describing own techniques and giving reasons for own choices
- sharing all the necessary information in order to be better understood by the public
- advertising oneself
- arousing the reader's interest and curiosity
- marketing material on cards, flyers, mailers, posters
- accompanying slides, photos sent to different art curators, art dealers, etc, in order to get promoted or bought by them; participating in international art contests; applying for international creation grants
- quotations in art reviews, in different articles (to illustrate/support the critic's analyses, interpretations, and evaluations), in art history texts (as a research source)
move-pattern:
Move I. Personal philosophy/ies and aesthetics
Step 1. Art philosophies and/or aesthetics the artist rely on; general ideas guiding the creation; perspective on art
Step 2. General themes, sources
Move 2. Personal style and techniques
Step 1. Defining personal style
Step 2. Describing the favored techniques
Step 3. Suggesting originality
Move 3. Commenting on current exhibition/work
Step 1. Stating the general idea (or the specific one), sources of inspiration
Step 2. Describing the process of creation
Step 3. Suggesting the meanings of the exhibition and/or the work (details, explaining metaphors, signs, symbols
- a very subjective genre, hence the use of the first person personal pronoun "I"
- a type of 'confession'
- using catchy words and expressions to attract the reader's attention
- avoiding prescribing a certain reading of own work while still offering some guidelines
- implicating the reader (suggesting a kind of conversation)
- avoiding obscurity (weighing the amount of the necessary"artspeak")
- writing with the audience in mind (who do you address? is it a professional public or a general public?)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HlMATZOMv_IUZLFHIsjIkX65Jso20JOqdJrd9sWJ6DQ/edit?usp=sharing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/majasavic/5619671565/
http://www.wesleyfleming.com/about.htm
http://vimeo.com/10369690
watch?v=7CFQY0Yf1iI&feature=fvwrel
TASK 2: Read through this article; the author seems to disagree with writing artist's statements by mentioning some dangers of writing them inappropriately; he expresses a personal opinion as to who should write the artist's statement. What do you think? Should it be the artist himself/herself to write the artist's statement, or should someone else write this text on his/her behalf? Give reasons.
TASK 2: Read through this article; the author seems to disagree with writing artist's statements by mentioning some dangers of writing them inappropriately; he expresses a personal opinion as to who should write the artist's statement. What do you think? Should it be the artist himself/herself to write the artist's statement, or should someone else write this text on his/her behalf? Give reasons.
3. http://hyperallergic.com/69378/in-defense-of-the-artist-statement/
TASK 3: What would you say about yourself and your art in your statement?
HELPFUL
DEADLINE: April 27
TASK 3: What would you say about yourself and your art in your statement?
HELPFUL
The artist’s statements are sometimes supposed to accompany the artist’s résumés; therefore, the specific information provided in the latter should be avoided in the former unless that is relevant to the works. The résumé is a rather official document, a personal marketing tool through which the artist establishes credibility when approaching a gallery or any other institution. It offers more precise information about the artist: a short biography, education, experience in the field, and recognition, all presented simply and neatly. It is not a full text; the information is supplied as a kind of title list, with the following headers:
The name à educationà previous experience (e.g. apprenticeships, scholarships, creative camps) à awards à exhibitions (solo, or group, the city and country) à recognition (newspaper articles, interviews, TV or radio appearances à representation (if the artist is represented by a gallery) à commissioned works (in private or museum collections)
TASK 4: write your own résumé. Below are some web examples:
The two genres are meant to offer a clear image of the artist in relation to both the general audience (especially the first) and specialized audiences (both)
DEADLINE: April 27
Chindris Bianca, design, second year
ReplyDeleteLooking at these statements more generally, it’s clear that artist statements can take very different forms depending on the artist’s intention and style. Some, like Fleming’s, are long, detailed, and personal, offering insights into the artist’s background, inspirations, and techniques, which helps viewers understand the work in depth. Others, like Maja Savic’s, are short, minimal, and focused, giving just enough context while leaving room for viewers to interpret the artwork on their own. Some statements may focus on technical process, others on personal philosophy or storytelling, and still others aim to spark curiosity without revealing too much. Overall, artist statements can range from informative to poetic, personal to concise, depending on how much the artist wants to guide the viewer’s experience.I like Maja Savic’s statement more because it highlights the power of brevity and lets the art speak for itself. Her style is concise and focused, without extra details about technique, biography, or logistics, so viewers can engage directly with the work. It minimizes distraction, subtly complementing the visual experience, while leaving room for interpretation and personal connection. I also like how she demonstrates her skills in a unique way through animation, adding another layer of creativity and expression to her work.
Morariu Denisa Teodora- PAPD.
ReplyDeleteTask 1.
Each artist has a unique style and a different way of expressing ideas. Their artist statements show their personal vision, influences and emotions. Even if they use different techniques, all of them try to communicate something meaningful through their work. I think I like Maja Savic the most, first of all I consider her a good and very creative artist, and I really like the idea of “movement” in her works. What caught my attention is that she is also passionate about film and photography, because I really like these fields as well.
Task 2. Morariu Denisa Teodora-PAPD
ReplyDeleteI understand the author because it is really hard to write about your own work. I also find it difficult to explain what I was thinking or what I wanted to show when I made something.
But I still think the artist should write their own artist statement. Even if it’s hard to put into words, the artwork comes from personal feelings and thoughts. The artist is the only one who truly knows what they felt while creating it.
So in my opinion, no one else can explain a personal artwork better than the artist. That’s why I think artists should write their own statements, even if it feels difficult or forced.
Task 3. Morariu Denisa Teodora- PAPD
ReplyDeleteMy work explores emotional depth through drawing and photography, often combining illustration with poetry or short quotes. I am drawn to themes of sadness, longing, emotional pressure, and inner struggle. These feelings shape both the subjects I choose and the atmosphere I try to create. My style leans toward dark and unsettling imagery. I often include unusual elements such as distorted forms or skulls, using them as symbols of vulnerability, pain, and the fragility of human experience. Rather than avoiding discomfort, I intentionally embrace it, allowing my work to reflect emotions that are often difficult to express. I use a variety of materials and techniques, depending on what best conveys the feeling I want to capture. For me, the process is intuitive and guided more by emotion than by strict rules. Through my art, I want viewers to feel something real and intense to connect with the weight of the emotions behind each piece. My goal is not just to show sadness, but to make it understood and shared. Creating art is deeply personal for me. It is a way to process what I feel and to find some sense of relief and meaning. In many ways, it helps me stay grounded and reminds me that I can transform difficult emotions into something visible and meaningful.
Dracea Luca-Vlad
ReplyDeleteFoto-Video
Anul 2, Licenta
TASK 1
I like the artist statements that feel honest and easy to understand. The ones that speak directly, without too many complicated words, are more interesting to me because they feel real. I don’t really connect with statements that sound too theoretical or vague, because they don’t help me understand the artist or their work. The best ones are those that explain both the idea and the process in a simple way, while still leaving space for interpretation.
TASK 2
I think the artist should write their own statement, because it’s about their ideas, their work, and their way of seeing things. No one else can explain that in the same way. At the same time, it can help to get feedback from someone else, especially to make the text clearer or easier to read. So maybe the artist writes it, but another person can help improve it.
TASK 3
I create art as a way of expressing what I feel and how I see the world around me. My work is often influenced by my personal experiences, memories, and emotions.
I like to experiment with different techniques and materials, because I enjoy the process of discovering new ways to express an idea. Sometimes my work is more controlled, other times more spontaneous, depending on what I want to communicate.
In my recent works, I focus on change and how people and moments evolve over time. I don’t want to give a single meaning to my work, but rather invite people to interpret it in their own way and connect it to their own experiences.
TASK 4
Name: Dracea Luca-Vlad
Education: UAD, Faculty of Fine Arts, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Experience:Internship at a Printing House in Alba-Iulia, Romania
Awards: Not
Exhibitions: The Semester Exhibition at the Faculty
Recognition:Not
Representation: Freelancer
Commissions:Not
Barlea Georgiana-Ioana, Foto-Video
ReplyDeleteTask 1: Opinions on the artist statements
Among the examples, I find the statement by Wesley Fleming the most effective. It is clear, engaging, and accessible, explaining both what he creates (glass sculptures of plants and animals) and why he does it—his fascination with nature and transformation. The language is vivid but not overly complicated, and it avoids heavy jargon. This makes it easy for a general audience to connect with his work. Good artist statements should explain the “what, why, and how” of the work in a direct and personal way, which this one does successfully.
By contrast, some of the other examples (especially video-based or more conceptual ones) tend to feel vague or overly abstract. While they may sound sophisticated, they risk losing the reader or viewer because they rely too much on theoretical language rather than concrete ideas. As many guides suggest, overly complex “artspeak” can alienate audiences instead of helping them understand the work.
Task 2: Who should write the artist’s statement?
In my view, the artist should primarily write their own statement, because it reflects their personal intentions, motivations, and creative process. An artist’s statement is essentially a “direct communication” with the viewer, offering insight into how and why the work was created. If someone else writes it entirely, there is a risk that the voice becomes artificial or disconnected from the artwork itself.
However, I also think collaboration can be useful. A curator, critic, or editor can help refine the text, making it clearer and more accessible. This avoids one of the main dangers mentioned in the article—writing statements that are overly complex, pretentious, or full of jargon. So ideally, the artist writes the core ideas, and another person helps polish them.
Task 3: My own artist statement
In my work, I explore the relationship between perception and meaning, focusing on how small details can transform the way we interpret everyday experiences. I am interested in the tension between clarity and ambiguity, often combining familiar forms with unexpected elements to challenge the viewer’s assumptions.
I work across mixed media, using both traditional and digital techniques. My process is intuitive and experimental, guided by curiosity rather than fixed outcomes. Through my work, I aim to create moments of pause—inviting viewers to look more closely, question what they see, and reflect on how meaning is constructed.
Task 4: My name is Georgiana Barlea, and I am a student currently studying at UAD. I am interested in Foto-Video, and I enjoy learning new things that help me improve my skills.
I consider myself a motivated and creative person. I like working on projects, both individually and in teams, because they help me develop my communication and problem-solving abilities. During my studies, I have worked on different school and personal projects, such as creating simple designs, presentations, or digital content.
I have basic computer skills and I am comfortable using different programs for schoolwork and creative tasks. I can communicate well with others and I try to be responsible and organized in everything I do.
In addition, I speak Romanian as my native language and English at a good level. In my free time, I enjoy activities related to my interests, such as art, design, and exploring new technologies.
Overall, I am eager to gain more experience and continue developing my abilities in the future.