Read on Twitter
Artist statements are the worst. Just talk about your work in plain language! So many times these texts are impossible to decipher. Why is that?
Some people say that "pictures should speak for themselves." I don't agree with that. Usually, pictures benefit from explanations or contextualization. I'm not anti-statement. I'm pro-readable text. Provide context. Set the stage. Introduce us to your work. Tell your story.
I really like and often benefit from reading about what inspired the making of a body of work. I just mean that frequently artist statements are the worst. AKA, I hate reading them when they're obtuse and they usually turn me off. I love pictures so this is a problem for me.
And of course, what poorly written statements - aka "artspeak" - usually prove is that there's no there there. Sorry, guys, I'm not trying to be a jerk. I really want photographers to figure this out.
