Artist Resources

Artist Biography & Statements

An artist statement and an artist biography are different things. An artist statement is like a short explanation the artist writes about their art. It tells why they create, what inspires them, and what their art means. It's like the artist talking about their work.

On the other hand, an artist biography is like a story about the artist's life. It talks about where they're from, their education, and important events in their artistic journey. It's more about the person behind the art.

In simple terms, the artist statement is about the art itself, while the artist biography is about the person who makes the art. The statement explains the why and what of the art, and the biography shares the who and the journey of the artist's life.

How to write an Artist Statements

What these artist statements do?

• keep it short

• grab the reader’s interest with the first sentence

• introduce the author’s personality and enthusiasm

• give a hint about the why of the artwork

• use the first person (I, me, mine — this is not a strict rule, but it does seem to help the author write a more straightforward, readable statement)

What these artist statements don’t do

• summarize the resume found elsewhere on the website

• give a physical description of artwork photographed elsewhere on the website

• sound generic

• use “art speak”

Some questions to think about when writing your statement

• What keeps you coming back to the studio, day after day?

• What’s the best way someone has responded to your artwork (comment in a guest book, at an exhibit, etc.)

• What questions are you asked most frequently about your work?

• What’s your artist story? (as opposed to your biography and CV)

• Who is your art for?

How to write an Artist Biography

• What do you think are the most important characteristics of your art?

• What is the main thing you want your art to communicate to viewers?

• How does your personal history relate to the art you produce?

• What makes your process and approach different from that of other artists?

Writing an artist biography is like telling a story about the person who makes art. Start by saying what kind of art they do and why they love it. 

Share simple details about their life, where they're from, and what inspires them. Use easy words to explain how they got into art and what makes their art special. Talk about important moments, like shows or awards. 

Make it friendly so everyone can understand and feel a connection with the artist. Add a bit about their personality and what they enjoy doing. Finish by saying what the artist wants to do next. 

A good artist biography helps people know and like the person who makes the art.

1. Create a concise summary

An artist bio should concisely summarise the artist’s practice. It’s not about covering an artist’s entire CV or full biography. Focus on a few main points that you believe to best introduce the artist and their art. Always include the medium, themes, techniques, and influences the artist works with.

2. Use clean, simple language

Use clean, simple language and avoid academic jargon and exaggerated language. Readers respond to authentic, simple texts and will take you much more seriously than if you use over-embellished language.

3. Grab the attention with a creative first sentence

Try to start the bio with a first line that is not simply a standard biographical introduction. Instead, be more creative and write a first sentence that grabs your readers’ attention while also telling them what is the most important thing about this artist and their work.

4. Include the artist's date of birth and nationality

Always add the date of birth (and in the case of artists who have passed away, the date of death) and the nationality of the artist. Also mention where they are mainly based – readers are interested in knowing where an artist is living and working, as this adds to a certain understanding about the artist’s influences and way of working.

5. Keep the bio around 120 words

The bio should be between 80 and 140 words. An ideal artist bio is 120 words. Research at museums has shown that visitors lose interest in reading wall labels accompanying art works after 150 words. That’s why it’s better to limit your word count to around 120 words – your readers will get enough information and be curious to learn more on their own, without getting bored and leaving your page because they don’t want to read an unnecessarily long text.

6. Discuss medium, techniques and style

Include all the important tangible aspects of the artist’s practice including: the medium and techniques the artist uses and the artistic style. Give examples of the artist’s key works that clearly elucidate these qualities.

7. Describe the main themes

Describe the main themes which the artist depicts in the work. What are the subjects and issues that inspire the themes in the artist’s pieces?

8. Position the artist in art history

Briefly reflect on the artist’s position in art history. What makes this artist important, what impact does he or she have on the history of art, which artists have influenced this artist and in what way has the artist redefined a certain medium or artistic technique?

9. Place the artist in his/her specific context

Position the artist in his or her cultural, political, social or technological context. Consider which events and which influences from the artist’s background and everyday life influence the way they work, and the art they produce.

10. Add a relevant quote

If you can find a short, relevant quote from the artist which supports the above-mentioned points, it can be a nice touch to add this to the bio in order to make it stand out more as an engaging, original piece.

Artist Elevators

What is an Artist Elevator?

An artist elevator pitch is a quick, concise description of an artist's work or projects, designed to capture someone's interest in the time it takes for an elevator ride. It's a brief and engaging summary that highlights the key aspects of the artist's work, such as their style, themes, and notable achievements. The goal is to leave a memorable impression and spark further interest in the listener, making them want to learn more about the artist and their creative endeavours.

How to write an Artist Elevator

Step 1: What you do

I am a _______ who creates _________...

Easy, peasy right? If not, it is time to give this some serious thought! You wouldn't open a store-front business without knowing what it is you are going to sell, would you?

• I am a painter who creates abstract, impressionistic landscapes...

• I am a printmaker who creates pointillistic patterns...

• I am a photographer who creates art noir photos of couples...

PRO TIP: Not everyone understands art lingo. Have a backup speech prepared for those folks using descriptive language instead of jargon.

• I am a painter who creates images of landscapes that are blurry but hint at the details with lots of curving lines...

• I am a printmaker who creates images of patterns using thousands of microscopic dots...

• I am a photographer who creates dark, black and white images of couples…

Step 2: Who you do it for

This step may require some decision making, but will make your elevator speech 100% more effective. Don't get too stressed about this. You are allowed to change it later.

(I am a _____ who creates_____)... for ___________.

• ...for art collectors looking for investment pieces.

• ...for those looking for mid-range priced prints for their home.

• ...for business owners looking to create an out-of-the-box environment.

Step 3: Why you are unique

This is the hardest of the steps, but can easily be the most compelling. Your "why" can be just about anything. Think about it as a random fact you would share about your business in a "get to know you" game. The more interesting, the better.

If they are awed by anyone with artistic abilities, maybe you can create packages of matching art for them. If they are activists, maybe it is a donation to their cause. If they are computer nerds, maybe you integrate social media.

• I sell in sets of three so you can create a cohesive look in a room.

• I donate 25% of sales to homeless artists.

• I choose my subject matter from images submitted from fans on my Facebook page.

You could put together any combination of the above examples, but here are the ones I chose to illustrate my point.

• I am a painter who creates abstract, impressionistic landscapes for those looking for mid-range priced prints for their home. I choose my subject matter from images submitted from fans on my Facebook page.

• I am a photographer who creates art noir photos of couples for art collectors looking for investment pieces. I donate 25% of sales to homeless artists.

• I am a printmaker who creates images of patterns using thousands of microscopic dots for business owners looking to create an out-of-the-box environment. I sell in sets of three so they can create a cohesive look in a room.