New
New
Writing an artist statement
I can create an artist statement that communicates my ideas, materials, and intentions.
Lesson 6 of 8
New
New
- Year 11
Writing an artist statement
I can create an artist statement that communicates my ideas, materials, and intentions.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Traditionally, an artist statement is a piece of writing where artists explain their work, methods, and intentions.
- Across history and cultures, artists have explained their work in many different ways.
- The statement is part of how art is experienced, it helps the audience engage more deeply.
- While traditionally written, it can also take other forms.
Keywords
Artist statement - a place in which an artist explains their work, ideas, and methods
Intention - what the artist wants to explore, show, or communicate
Common misconception
An artist statement has to be a long, formal piece of writing full of complicated words.
Artist statements can be short and simple, written in clear and honest language, and can also take other formats such as bullet points, spoken word, visual mind maps, captions, or short videos.
Encourage students to say their ideas out loud first, speaking often feels easier than writing, and you can then help them capture those words in a simple statement or alternative format.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is the best description of an artist statement?
Which of these is the best description of an artist statement?
a list of all the galleries an artist has visited
a short biography about the artist’s life story only
a review written by an art critic
Q2.An artist statement should be written in clear, simple language that anyone can understand.
An artist statement should be written in clear, simple language that anyone can understand.
Q3.Why might an artist statement be useful for viewers?
Why might an artist statement be useful for viewers?
It makes them like the work whether they want to or not.
It replaces the need to look at the artwork.
It only matters for very old artworks.
Q4.Give one thing an artist might include in their statement to explain their work.
Give one thing an artist might include in their statement to explain their work.
Q5.All artists, in every culture and time, write formal written artist statements.
All artists, in every culture and time, write formal written artist statements.
Q6.How did many artists in earlier periods of Western art communicate the meaning or intention of their work?
How did many artists in earlier periods of Western art communicate the meaning or intention of their work?
by posting written statements in galleries
through interviews with newspapers
by writing autobiographies
