OK, so this may not be a proper use of this blog, but I figured what the heck. I recently was accepted into my first juried exhibit and I need to submit an artist's statement, bio and resume along with my pots. I am not stressed about the bio and resume, but the artist's statement has me in fits. I have written one out and would love some feedback, please!
Here's what I came up with:
As a part time potter, clay enriches my life by providing excitement, community, relaxation and creative satisfaction. I strive to create functional pots that have personality and that will engage the user.
A pot’s personality is imbued during its creation: the clay can be pulled, stretched, poked, textured, cut, joined, glazed and fired. I rarely finish a pot without leaving hints of the making visible. The play of glaze over throwing lines, the blush of fire and ash on a woodfired pot, the balance of smooth lines to slashed and bulging clay; these are the things that catch the eye and beckon a pot to be held, to be used and to be enjoyed.
I wish for my pots enrich the lives of those who use them, as the making of them has enriched my own.
What do you all think?
Thanks,
Jerry
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12 comments:
I think you have a great start - a lot of good ideas but it doesn't quite flow yet.
An artist statement (to me) should tell folks a little about you - why you enjoy you art form - & what you are trying to achieve. It should be written in an easy approachable format.
I'd visit websites of potter's work you like & read some statements. Don't copy - but get a feel for what they are saying & then use your words to talk about your work.
You are truly almost there :>)
What does everyone else think?
Thanks Judy. I appreciate your input. I had read a number of artist statements, but so many of them sound like thesis papers, it got to be too much. I know that I had read one a while back that was only 1 or two sentences, but I thought it was a great one.
I don't have formal art education, so I don't know (and don't want to write) art school mumbo jumbo, but I also don't want it to sound generic. And since at this point in time I cannot devote a lot of time to clay, I feel I don't have a "big picture" about what I am doing. I guess that's the point of writing it though.
Out of curiosity I just went to your site and read your statement, it seems we have some similar thoughts about clay.
Seems we do think alike about pots! Maybe you should critique my artist statement -:>)
Actually it's my second attempt. I had another artist statement on my first webpage. I re-wrote it when I re-did my webpage this summer.
I think if you took your ideas & wrote like you would tell someone - it would flow a little better. It just seems a little disjointed right now -- more about writing style not ideas.
And, hey - congrats on getting into the juried show! That's the real work - who reads these artist statements anyway!?
I agree that it is a really great start, and I love the way you talk about how you want your pots to achieve personality.
As far as flow--maybe say something like 'In my attempt to create pots with personality as well as function, I focus on all aspects of its creation,' then continue on to the creation process and how a pot achieves its personality.
And maybe continue the idea of personality into the last sentence to kind of pull it all together. Or maybe just elaborate a little more on that sentence to have it stand on its own better. Good luck! You've gotten much farther than I have on mine--not being started isn't much of a start :)
Read this artist statement:
Kang Hyo Lee
artist’s statement
The work of an artist reflects his or her life. The temperament of a person is
influenced by one’s natural environment. When traveling around the country,
mountains are like screen folds enabling one to marvel and be awe-struck by
the essence of nature. The everlasting theme in my work is based on mountains,
fields and sky. Everything that exists has its own reason and beauty. Making
something with clay with the hands and then painting white over the surface is
an expression of my dream. It is I that is alive this minute. Finding life’s meaning
is too vast and confusing. It is a struggle and confliction to find the inner self.
Life is not that exceptional nor does it contain a great meaning. Yet the mere
existence itself is precious and beautiful. Making art is like setting off to travel to
find peace in the mind. On the throwing wheel, a concentric circle is made then
numerous different circular shapes are created. Through this clay a space and a
mass is created. This space contains my life. It is I. There is joy in taking a deep
breath and viewing mountains; life is definitely worthwhile just for the fact that
I am able to see and exist. Furthermore, I make things that can be looked at and
enjoyed. My work is an expression of everything that exists. It is my life itself.
July 2007
Kang Hyo Lee's artist statement does a wonderful job of explaining why he does what he does and where he is coming from. But (and I am not sure if it is a translation issue or not) I had a hard time getting through the paragraph.
What can I take away from his writing? My statement needs to tell why I throw pots, where it comes from inside. And that the writing should be a bit more personal. Thanks for posting that, Judy.
I had seen the link to the catalog for his exhibition at the Pucker Gallery, but had not yet clicked through. My god, what amazing pots. His little Punchong cups are splendid (KL449...swoon!). There are many other treasures to be seen there. Wish I was closer to Boston!
Oh Jerry, you are putting me to shame - as I have yet to write any statement - what a good idea posting here as I hopefully will (should) be doing the same.
I like the forthright and unpretentious words you have used in your statement, especially the 'pulled, stretched, poked', etc. and I also really like 'leaving hints of the making visible'.
I myself would not put being a 'part time potter' even if you are, maybe that's just me, but I feel in some folk's minds it may diminish how they may view you as an artist - I feel they may think you're "only" part time - I could be wrong.
In the second sentence I would substitute the word 'which' for 'that' (my sister is always correcting my grammer - if I have it correct, double check with someone about it). The second paragraph reads more to me as a general description of pottery but doesn't read as a description of your pottery or style? I'd expound more on how you create, your style, as Judy and Ben have said.
I can see writing and describing working in clay isn't that easy but you have captured my attention with your words, I'd like to hear more.
As an aside, I just came across this website about writing an artist's statement, which I am going to use as a tool to prompt me to get something onto paper. http://www.mollygordon.com/resources/marketingresources/artstatemt/
Thanks for all of the input!! It has been really helpful.
So here is take #2:
"I work with clay to enrich my life, to give pause to the rush of existence that seems to be the norm these days. Sitting at the wheel throwing a pot provides me with excitement, happiness, relaxation and creative satisfaction. As I strive to create functional pots that have personality and engage the user, I hope my hands translate these feelings into form; into a pot that brings a moment of contemplation, a sharing of the stillness.
A pot’s personality is imbued during its creation: the clay can be pulled, stretched, poked, textured, cut, joined, glazed and fired in endless combinations. I rarely finish a pot without leaving hints of its making visible. The play of glaze over throwing lines, the blush of fire and ash on a woodfired pot, the balance of smooth lines to slashed and bulging clay; these are the things that catch the eye and beckon a pot to be held, to be used and to be enjoyed.
It is my desire to have my works pull the user out of themselves, if just for an instant…to enrich their lives, as the making of them has enriched my own."
Am I getting closer?
I think you've got it - that's a keeper. Good job. I think it's easier to make work than write about it - lol.
I agree! That one is really great!
Wow, that's very good, you work quickly, reading your statement makes me want to see (more of) your ceramic creations.
Whew! Can do my happy dance now, but only for sec since I need to work on the bio & clay resume.
Thanks for all of your input, it helped so much.
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