Why you need an Artist Bio?

Your artist bio, whether you’re a sculptor, comedian, or any other type of artist, is the most important document in your promotional arsenal. It’s most people’s first introduction to you and you never know who might come across it. So it really needs to translate who you are and what you have to offer as an artist.

Think back on all you have accomplished, works in progress, and what you plan to achieve.

What should be included in an effective artist’s bio?

• Anyone or anything that has influenced the artist’s artworks.
• Any education or training in the field of art.
• Any related experience in the field of art.
• A summary of the artist’s artistic philosophy.
• Any artistic insights or techniques that are employed by the artist.
• A short description of what the artist would like to accomplish with their art.

Paragraph 1: Introduction and Summary
Answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences:

• What content/phenomenon/principle/politics drives your work?
• What field(s) and/or discipline(s) do you see your practice aligned with?
• What medium or mediums are employed in your practice?
• What message, if any, would you like your work to communicate to the viewer? (This message could be political, cultural, personal, etc.)

Paragraph 2: Specific details to expand and build on what you describe in Paragraph 1

• Describe 2-4 of your recent works (1-2 sentences per work) in the context of how this work fits into your general area/discipline of interest
• Describe the context (gallery, film festival, furniture show, public park, bar?) that best fits your work, particularly if you work in a non-gallery context.
• If you have been drawn to your medium for any political/personal/cultural reasons, define those. For example, if your work is primarily shown online try to describe why you are drawn to the Internet as exhibition space.

Paragraph 3: Current projects in progress and future work

• Describe your current work in progress and how it expands the previous body of work. Try to describe this work in 2-3 sentences.
• If you see your work developing in a different or more focused direction in the future describe in detail that transformation or change.

Tips to Remember:

• This is not a bio about your life
• An artist’s bio is not a resume
• Write for journalists and the public
• Stay clear of using too many superlatives
• Avoid writing in the first person
• Keep it one page length
• Avoid sounding like you are tooting your own horn

Sources:
http://www.transart.org/guidelines/artist-statements/

How To Write A Compelling Artist Bio – Disc Makers http://blog.discmakers.com/2014/01/how-to-write-a-killer-artist-bio/#ixzz3F0rndWtv

http://emptyeasel.com/2011/10/20/how-to-write-the-perfect-artists-bio-for-your-art-blog/

Feature Image: http://www.wallpaperspictures.net/image/use-a-paint-brush-wallpaper-for-1152×864-1723-33.jpg