On occasion, you may be asked for an Artist Bio or Artist Biography.
This is different from an Artist Statement in that it focuses on your most important biographical data and achievements in your practice to date, so it is important to make sure it is fit for purpose.
It should be concise, around 150 words with equal weight given to training, employment, exhibition history, representation and awards.
Note:
There are many online resources to help with CV, Artist Statement and Bio writing.
- Look at websites of artists whose work you admire or know, and also those who are at a similar stage in their careers as you.
- Art gallery websites have these available for the artists they represent.
- Practical online resources with tips for writing an Artist Biography are available from (amongst others):
- If you are a more established artist, you may consider becoming a member of NAVA – The National Association of Visual Artists – as their website has numerous documents to assist all aspects of your practice.
The most important thing to remember is to tailor your document to suit each purpose by giving priority to what is being asked for and don’t include unnecessary information.
Resources:
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Southern Printmakers Association 