As part of my residency with WAABEL Studio for the online exhibit launching next week, I was tasked with writing an artist statement about my collaborative works—a seemingly straightforward assignment for someone who has been writing for over 20 years. Writing interviews, features, and academic arts articles is usually a delight. But this experience pushed me to uncover a deeper layer of vulnerability in my process.
Here’s the original draft of my statement:
“This piece is a self-portrait and a collaborative collage-assemblage, exploring the intertwined themes of body image, womanhood, and life transitions. It combines mixed media—found objects, mini-paintings from collaborators, acrylic body prints, figurative painting, and stitching. The process began as a personal challenge to transform a blank canvas sitting in my studio for over a year. Through blogging about the experience, the project blossomed into a shared exploration with a community of women, all reflecting on similar themes of transition. For me, it mirrors a deeply personal moment as my children transition into adulthood, and I embrace newfound independence and confidence in this evolving chapter of life, physically and mentally.”
The WAABEL residency director offered a kind but insightful critique: while the statement was descriptive and full of ideas, it felt emotionally distant. That feedback struck a chord—because in reality, my emotional self drives my work.
I often frame my art in conversation with other feminist artists, which is integral to my practice. Yet at its core, my work is also about me: my transitions, my anxieties, my joys as a mother and artist. It’s a way to process and make sense of the emotional moments I live through.
With this in mind, I revisited the statement and went deeper:
“This self-portrait and collaborative collage-assemblage came out of an emotional moment of change for me. I had this blank canvas in my studio for over a year, just sitting there, and every time I looked at it, I felt anxious, wasteful, and a bit defeated. It started to represent the uncertainty I was feeling in my life—especially as my kids were leaving home. I’d poured so much of myself into one chapter, and now, faced with all this change, I wasn’t sure if I was up for the next one, both in art and life.
Starting the piece was intimidating—I felt like an imposter, worried I couldn’t meet the challenge. But then something clicked when I invited others to contribute. Found objects, mini-paintings, and the perspectives of collaborators helped ease my anxiety. Seeing how others navigate transitions reminded me I wasn’t alone.
What began as a personal project turned into a collective reflection on change. This piece captures a key moment for me—finding new confidence and independence while still acknowledging the difficulty of letting go. Using mixed media like acrylic body prints, figurative painting, stitching, objects, and contributions from others, the work became more than just art—it became a way to process my emotions and embrace this evolving chapter of womanhood.”
Shortening this for the WAABEL online exhibit (again, launching next week!) wasn’t easy, but I was grateful for the push to center emotion in my writing.
Now, I’m curious—how do you approach writing artist statements? Is it easy to tap into the emotional core of your work, or do you find yourself holding back? Let’s swap stories—I’d love to hear yours!
Here’s Some Tips for an Emotional Artist Statement:
1. Introduce the Work Start by briefly describing the artwork. What is it? What materials or techniques are used?
Example: “This is a mixed-media collage combining found objects, stitching, and acrylic body prints.”
2. Share the Emotional Catalyst Explain the emotional experience or life event that inspired the work. Be honest and specific.
Example: “The piece was born during a moment of intense self-reflection, as I navigated the transition from being a full-time caregiver to embracing a new sense of independence.”
3. Connect Emotions to Artistic Choices Describe how your feelings influenced your artistic process or material choices.
Example: “The torn edges of the fabric represent the rawness of change, while the layered textures mirror the complexity of adapting to a new chapter in life.”
4. Invite the Viewer Express what you hope the audience feels or takes away from the piece.
What are your go-to methods?