The Importance of the Artist Bio
6/22/22
One of the ingredients to a successful career in the arts - aside from having a growing portfolio of quality artworks - is recognition. You want to be talked about, followed, written about, invited to events, and collected. For this to happen you need a growing fanbase. We rely on social media, particularly Instagram, to do the heavy lifting in this arena, but more needs to be said about you than a mere photo of your latest painting. And it all starts with an effective Artist Bio.
Basic Steps for a Student or Early Career Artist Bio
First Paragraph: Who are you?
Collectors and gallery visitors like to attach a human element to the art they are viewing. It allows them to have a starting point for their understanding and attachment to certain pieces. You should briefly describe who you are, your uniqueness, how it relates to your art and subject matter. Do not be inhibited. This paragraph is a celebration of all that is you. There is NO WRONG ANSWER. You can discuss your process or progress, history and communities, catharsis and purpose. The only rule is that it should be unequivocally YOU!
Second Paragraph: What do you paint? Why? Who are you influenced by?
While it may be clear to you, (or you do not want it to be clear), most viewers, galleries and collectors like to know why a painter paints what they paint. What is your message, inspiration, goal, medium choice. In this paragraph you can talk about choices, subject matter, tools of the trade, unique applications, and artists that inspire or guide you.
Third paragraph: What are your goals or future artistic endeavors?
Allow the viewer to become invested in your future progress. Explain your artistic goals, upcoming projects of interest, ideas of engagement.
Tips
Remember. This is an “I” bio. While it is being used in a professional setting for an exact purpose you want it to be professional while still being warm and engaging. Even if your subject matter is political, dark or objective there is still a personal reason why you have created in this way. Allow the reader into this special place and they will be attracted to your art in a visceral way.
Variation on paragraph placement and amount of paragraphs is flexible. This is a guideline to allow you to offer the most information in a professional format used by most artists.
Depending on who you are writing a bio for, you may be given a word count. If not, we suggest somewhere between 150-250 words.
Sample Artist Bio by Dabora Choi
Artist Bio
As an undergraduate college student in printmaking, I see myself contributing to the ongoing deviation from traditional values toward newer, contemporary ideas. I am finding it just as essential to be able to learn from my peers. Recently, my paintings and prints have had a focus on human nature. As a woman of color, I hope to be part of the movement that inspires such groups to establish themselves in the art community. Being part of an underrepresented group, I have learned that projecting one’s voice is challenging yet crucial. This is where much of my recent work evolves from; this translates into using animals in their natural landscape as tools.
Many of the compositions I have produced convey the feeling of being a spectator, which I interpret as an inside look into a lesser known group or species. My process, inspired by the work of artists such as Anj Smith, Andrea Chung, and David Hockney, enjoys quiet and slight humor. These tend to be characteristics I relate to the most.
Going forward, I am searching for ways to develop my pieces into much larger projects. I am mostly interested in exploring materiality, especially in printmaking and textiles. My curiosities in the fashion industry and pattern are becoming significant influences in my artwork. I am looking forward to seeing where these intrigues may take me and my body of work.