gRAPHICaNATOMY

Further art discussions and notifications for the artwork of Sam Thorp

Thursday, March 31, 2011

 

Writing an Artist Bio

When a viewer /buyer asks about the artist (you), what should the gallery tell them?
THAT is the point of an artists bio.

It provides the human connection to potential buyers. A window into your world.
The biography sets out where the artist is from, the educational background, exhibitions, affiliations, awards, and so on. It can include why you make art and what it's about; but most of that should be left for the artist's statement. A bio should be short and concise, with enough information to make you interesting. It's not an autobiography of your WHOLE life; but what is relevant to the art you make.

Start by answering these questions:
Who are you?
What is your work about? Or what would you tell someone who had never seen your work?
What is distinct about your style and/or approach?
What drives you? Why did you start making art?
Why did you choose this art form? Why these materials?
How did you learn to do this? Mention any schools or degrees.
Have you won any awards? Any career highlights?
Where is your studio?


Take those answers and assemble them as such:
1st paragraph: Intro sentence and some identity branding
2nd paragraph: the immediate purpose of the bio. What is going on right now. Your current activities.
3rd paragraph: Your past experience, career path and how you got to here.
Ending: Wrap it up. Use a quote if you like.


Use proper grammar and spelling. Keep it organized. Have it proofread by a smart person.
Avoid cliches and hyperbole. Try to sound like … you are just being yourself.
If your still stuck look up the bios of other professional artists for examples.
Keep copies for future use.

Traditionally a bio is written a third person voice, but if you are going to record your own bio on video stick to first person.

Comments: Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]





<< Home

Archives

May 2005   June 2005   July 2005   August 2005   September 2005   October 2005   November 2005   December 2005   February 2006   March 2006   May 2006   June 2006   July 2006   August 2006   September 2006   October 2006   November 2006   January 2007   March 2007   April 2007   May 2007   July 2007   August 2007   October 2007   December 2007   January 2008   February 2008   March 2008   April 2008   May 2008   June 2008   July 2008   August 2008   October 2008   December 2008   January 2009   February 2009   March 2009   May 2009   June 2009   July 2009   August 2009   September 2009   October 2009   November 2009   December 2009   January 2010   February 2010   March 2010   April 2010   May 2010   June 2010   July 2010   August 2010   September 2010   October 2010   November 2010   December 2010   January 2011   February 2011   March 2011   April 2011   May 2011   June 2011   July 2011   August 2011   September 2011   October 2011   November 2011   December 2011   January 2012   February 2012   March 2012   April 2012   May 2012   June 2012   July 2012   August 2012   September 2012   October 2012   November 2012   December 2012   January 2013   February 2013   March 2013   April 2013   May 2013   June 2013   July 2013   August 2013   September 2013   October 2013   November 2013   December 2013   January 2014   March 2014   April 2014   May 2014   June 2014   July 2014   August 2014   September 2014   October 2014   November 2014   January 2015   March 2015   April 2015   May 2015   January 2016   March 2016   October 2016   November 2016   December 2016   April 2017   August 2017   December 2017   January 2019  

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]