Group Seminar Artists Statements

Really interesting seminar conversation about artists' statements with examples -

too short, too long, too full of quotes and borrowed ideas, not enough references, not enough, too cosy, too dry and intellectual, too dense. The statements we all chose were varied, so there was plenty to critique. Looking at them from this point of view points out best and worst practice, although as Jennifer said, of her artist whose statement was extremely dense, intellectual, and quite clumsily written, this was the artist's own statement and approach, and quite clearly how she intellectualised her own work, and in her case there were others to write the exhibition catalogue, etc, and mitigate work for the viewer.

We artists who write our own statements and catalogues, must include all - we seem to aim to be intellectual enough to signal to our peers and the artworld that we are related to considered and researched ideas, and yet appeal to the general reader and audience that all they have to do is look at our work, and all will be made clear. Perhaps if someone else did write and explain things for us at some point, we care less about clarity to the general audience. However, of course, other artists are just people too, and statements can be offputting if they are too dependent on specific references. A little abstraction or intellectual pondering in a statement seems to be acceptable if it is set within other clear language.

Jennifer's point also belies mine when that I said that statements should somehow match or reflect the artist's work - I do believe this. We need not visit again the familiar art student woe of having to write out instead of just making art - still a valid moan, but equally, writing and saying, finding the words is helpful not just to ourselves but to the audience. Perhaps it comes down to this - does the statement make you want to look at the work or not, does the work come as a surprise, does it do it justice or make fair claims?

Personally, I heartily dislike quotes from other artists or writers in a statement - I feel it interferes with the artist's own thoughts being expressed in their own words, which should really be the point of an artist's statement. I also prefer the first person rather than the third. She prefers the first person rather than the third. It seems more direct and honest. In a recent exhibition, the curators translated my statement into the third person - it just doesn't seem right to me!

Statements sometimes have to do alot and adapt - a shortened version must sometimes do the work of the full thing. More recently I have been adding more "about the artist" information in mine.

Stallabrass, in Contemporary Art, A Very Short Introduction, OUP, 2006, parodies artists' statements as declarations of awsome new visions and perceptions, offering mind shattering experiences for the viewer. There are some statements that slip into this, and others that maintain a grip.

http://eleanormacfarlane.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/stallabrass-response.html

This is the statement I submitted plus my comments:

Sam Curtis Artist Statement

Sam Curtis uses a combination of video, performance and text to explore the boundaries between art and the 'real' world of work, and between the artist and the non-artist. He focuses on anything that might not be ‘worthy’ of our attention. Sam has spent time as a fishmonger, a door-to-door salesman, a call centre agent, a labourer, a pot washer, a sandwich maker, a doorman and an auctioneer’s assistant. These experiences continue to shape and inform his practice.

 http://www.scurtis.co.uk/

Although the requirement was to identify an artist statement of good quality, and the one I have chosen is not particularly exemplary, I thought it would add two important points to the discussion about artist statements:

It is brief, it does not describe practice, but provides a context to an open-ended practice of varied activities. It allows the artist license and freedom to move between media, as the connecting driving force is informed by the circumstance of his various occupations. It suggests an oblique and unusual approach to art. (Of course it could be criticised for being too brief.)

It is totally inclusive of occupations and nonart activities undertaken by the artist, reframing them as valid artistic practice. It exemplifies how one can rewrite gaps in the CV, periods of not showing work, or being occupied in other things, and still create a positive, coherent and memorable artistic statement.

The artist doesn't really do himself many favours with the brevity of his statement, and the anti-artworld stance is a little disingenuous considering he has done an MFA. However, you just can't beat the idea of undercover artist-in residence working at a fish counter.

Amelia chose Jenny Ford

http://www.jennyfordsculpture.com/

Interesting sculptural work presented as more female and crafty than sculptural. Poetic, but lacking references to anything outside itself. With a wider context outside her stated cosy world nestled somewhere, and perhaps positioning herself directly in a stream of art from Griselda Pollock to Louise Bourgeois, depth and context would have helped this statement. somehow it betrays small ambitions. 

Alexa chose Will Teather

http://www.willteather.com/

Long, and very full of quotes and other people's ideas.

Jennifer chose Tara Donovan

http://www.acegallery.net/artistmenu.php?Artist=8

What gorgeously beautiful work. How micro and macro scopic. What a palette of clear and white, and all the lights and shades that creates. What developed techniques and sumptuous aesthetics.

And what an unreadable statement. 

Jennifer picked up on my throwaway comment that maybe we should write each other's statements in the MA. Yes, what a fruitful idea, both for writing and receiving, for critique, summing up, and possibly creating a few useful phrases and keys we can use ourselves. Quite a challenge, to really tune in to each other's work. If the tutor's do not pick up on that and integrate it into the MA, then perhaps we shall just go ahead.

27th June 2012