Your Artist Biography: The Who, Where, and What
Think of your bio as the press-friendly snapshot of who you are. It’s usually written in third person and answers practical questions:
- Who are you?
- Where are you based?
- What kind of work do you create?
- Where has it been shown?
- What are your notable achievements?
✅ What to include in your bio:
- Your name and location
- Mediums you work with (e.g., oil paint, digital, ceramics)
- Key exhibitions, awards, or publications
- A brief note on your background (education or how you came to art)
- Where your work has been seen or sold
❌ What to avoid:
- Deep emotions or conceptual ramblings
- Overly personal history (unless it’s directly tied to your art path)
- Statements like “has loved art since they were 4”—focus on your career, not your childhood
Your Artist Statement: The Why and How
Now here’s where you tell the story behind the work. The artist statement is usually written in first person and helps the audience understand what motivates your creations. It’s less about you, and more about your work.
✅ What to include in your statement:
- What themes or questions your work explores
- Why you use the mediums you do
- How you create (technique or process insights)
- What inspires your current body of work
- How you want people to engage with your pieces
❌ What to avoid:
- Buzzwords that mean nothing (e.g., “transcendental juxtaposition of semiotics”)
- Repeating your biography info
- Long-winded or vague philosophical tangents
Think of It Like This:
🖼 Bio = your exhibition label
💬 Statement = your artist talk
They complement each other but serve very different purposes.
Final Thought
A well-crafted biography and a thoughtful statement are two of the most important tools in your creative toolkit. They help others see your work the way you see it—and open the door to more opportunities.
Want feedback on yours? Post it in the members’ forum and we’ll cheer you on!
