“THE ARTIST STATEMENT”

WORKSHOP

by Maryam Babaei

“If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” -Edward Hopper

In this workshop we will discuss how to write artist statements that inform and intrigue the viewer without detracting from the expressive power of the artwork itself. In most cases, art communicates through images and objects rather than words. However, a good artist statement establishes a context in which your audience can begin to relate to and interpret your work. Think of it as a crucial ice breaker. An artist statement is required to accompany your portfolio to galleries, competitions, websites, and school applications.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their working statements to the workshop; time permitting, we can go through them after breaking the task down into basic steps.

About the presenter:

Maryam Babaei is a freelance editor and academic writing instructor based in Vancouver, BC. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia and a MSc in Literature and Modernity from The University of Edinburgh, UK. Her main research interest is representations of time and memory in contemporary drama and visual arts. In addition to working on projects in her own field, she particularly enjoys helping artists use written language effectively to find their audience and present their work.