Does the mere utterance of the two words "artist statement" make you feel overwhelmed—unsure how to translate your art into words?
After all, you are an artist—not a writer—right?
Wrong. Well, sort of wrong.
Of course, the focus of your career is your artwork. But, you need to be able to communicate about your work with clarity, focus, and passion. If you can't take the time to explain yourself and your vision in simple terms, don't expect anyone else to take the time to understand it.
You are the one person in the world who knows your work intimately. You—and you alone—have spent the most time thinking about the themes and symbols in your artwork.
Your artist statement should be a written description of your artwork that gives deeper insight into your work through your personal history, material choices and themes you address. It helps both viewers understand what is most important to you and galleries explain your work to potential buyers.
But, it's tricky to write.
Striking the right tone while fully capturing your artistic vision is a balancing act, and there are a few common mistakes to steer clear of to make the writing process smoother.
Make the most of your words—here are 6 things to avoid in your artist statement (and what to say instead):
Photo courtesy of Artwork Archive artist Deena S. Ball
Number 1)
"My Work Speaks For Itself"
It's easy to feel that your art should stand alone, but your artist statement is your chance to share the "why" behind your work and help your audience see beyond the surface. Your process, ideas, and intentions matter just as much as the final product.
When you say your work speaks for itself, you're leaving too much up to chance. Sure, some people might get it just by looking, but many will miss the subtle nuances and layers of meaning you've poured into it.
Offering a glimpse into your thought process can make all the difference.
Instead of saying: "My work speaks for itself,"
Offer specific insights into your work. A clear statement gives viewers a starting point to understand your work and its meaning.
Number 2)
Complex and Confusing Art Jargon
Using dense, intellectual art terminology might seem impressive, but it can actually alienate your audience instead of drawing them in. If the language of your artist statement feels too complex, you run the risk of viewers tuning out and missing the meaning behind your work.
Your statement should be clear and easy to connect with, giving people a way to understand your ideas without feeling overwhelmed.
You can keep your statement meaningful while still making it easy to follow.
Instead of using overly technical, complicated “artspeak,”
Simplify your language—it will help viewers engage with your work and make you more approachable as an artist.
Number 3)
Excessive Personal Details
Including personal experiences in your artist statement is important, but if you share too much, you might end up making your audience feel a bit disconnected. Of course, your art is deeply personal to you—and that absolutely matters! But your audience could have a harder time connecting if it feels like they’re reading a diary instead of learning about your creative process.
Your artist statement should create a space where people can connect with your work, rather than focusing solely on your individual story.
The key is finding the right balance. You can still be personal without overwhelming your audience with too many intimate details.
Instead of diving deep into personal emotions, specific traumas, or intimate life events,
Focus on the themes behind the emotions or experiences. This frames them in a relatable way, and invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences through your work.
Number 4)
Clichés or Vague Generalizations
Phrases like “I am inspired by life” or “I love art” don’t offer any real insight into your process. Sure, broad statements like these might capture a general feeling, but they don't help your audience understand what actually fuels your creativity or sets your artwork apart.
Give your audience a more specific and unique perspective on what drives your creative practice.
If you stay too vague, you miss the chance to pull people in on what makes your art special—and it IS special.
Instead of saying: “I’m inspired by the world around me,”
Provide specific examples of what in the world inspires you. Maybe it’s a certain landscape, a cultural tradition, or an interaction with someone that sparked something in you. Share those details, and explain how they show up in your work.
Number 5)
Apologetic or Self-Deprecating Language
Talking down about your own work (and yourself) can really shape how others perceive it, and not in a good way.
When you use self-deprecating phrases, like “I’m not a professional,” or "I don't really know what I'm doing," it can make your audience hesitate to take your art seriously. Even if you're still learning or experimenting, there’s no need to apologize for that—every artist is always growing.
Be confident in where you are right now. Focus on what your work is expressing and what makes it meaningful to you. Again, growth is a part of every artist's journey, and there's something to be said about showing your process, even if you're still figuring things out.
If you’re too hard on yourself, you’re not giving people the chance to see your art in the best light.
Instead of saying: “I’m not a professional, but...”
Talk about the thought process behind your creative decisions. Show confidence in the choices you made, even if they are unconventional or experimental. Your audience wants to see your passion and intention—so own it!
Number 6)
"My Art is Open to Interpretation"
While it’s great to leave room for interpretation in your art, simply saying that it’s "open to interpretation" can sometimes feel too vague.
You don’t need to spell out everything, but offering a bit of direction can help viewers engage more deeply with your work. Think of it as giving your audience a starting point. You're not telling them what to think, you're guiding them toward a deeper understanding.
You can still encourage others to find their own meaning in your artwork while sharing the themes or emotions that inspired you.
Instead of saying: ”There’s no right or wrong way to interpret my art,”
Describe how different elements of your work invite viewers to engage with certain ideas, like the use of color, texture, or form.
Crafting thoughtful artist statements takes work—keeping them organized shouldn’t:
Once you've put in the effort to write a strong statement, make sure it’s always on hand.
Store all your artist statements in the My Docs section of your Artwork Archive account so they’re always ready when you need them.
Writing an artist statement is your chance to build a meaningful connection with your audience. By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll craft a statement that is engaging, thoughtful, and a true reflection of who you are as an artist.
