I wanted to quickly bring your attention to the fact that I’ve redesigned my art Web site and drafted a new artist statement. For the Web site, I removed all works that aren’t focused on wood. I’ve created three sections of work: Clear Coat, White Paint, and Holes. I think this will provide a more focused representation of my practice.
I’ve long struggled with artist statements as I think oftentimes they do more harm than good. I think they should at most be a simple point of access to the work. In today’s art world, though, they are required. So with that in mind, I set out to write a one-sentence artist statement. Here is the result:
Through my work, I strive to embody a clarity and resolution of line, color and form through simple gestures enacted upon the foundation of inherently beautiful wood.
I’m not sure what more I could say or need to say without diving into technical details. For the time-being, this will suffice.
UPDATE (10/25/09 @ 12:14pm):
After receiving some feedback on the artist statement, I’d like to try out this revision:
Through my work, I strive to find a clarity and resolution of line, color and form through simple gestures enacted upon a foundation of wood.
It’s not too different, but what do you think?
I found your blog (then site) via another blog and just wanted to say that I like your way of organizing and think it’s smart. I’m in the process of making similar changes, moving from the site as all-encompassing archive to a stripped-down version that just has recent works and other essentials like bio and CV. I haven’t gone so far as to remove old works because curators, et al want to see a progression, but on the other hand, I don’t want anyone to see my crappy old work because someone invariably will want something in that vein. Like right now, I’d look at your old stuff too if I could. BTW, there are more postminimalists out there than you think–do you read Joanne Mattera? Cheers, Kim Matthews Mpls.
So you’ve disowned your found objects? Not that I’m complaining.
My only Website critique is to say that perhaps — just perhaps — you might want to make sub-pages for each piece, rather than having different views of the same piece mixed up with each other. It’s not a huge critique or anything. I’m not sure it matters much. Although it might matter more as you get more pieces.
Kim,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I do read Joanne’s site and it’s great to see a her feature the work she does. Still, I don’t think our style of work gets a lot of attention in galleries. It’s certainly not the focus of too many galleries’ programs.
Chris,
You haven’t paid very close attention. I disowned that work just a few days after I first shared images of it. Those pictures never even made it to the Web site to begin with. I think the work had potential, it just didn’t fit in with what I do.
As for the sub-pages, you’re probably right. Unfortunately, the service I use for my site is not customizable in that way. Thanks for the feedback regardless.
The service you use? It’s sounds almost as if you don’t know anyone who designs Web pages….:)
Yeah, I actually know many Web designers. However, I don’t know any that can build a solution as easy to use as OtherPeoplesPixels for $16/month. Do you?
The only Web designer I know well often works for free, but is grateful for not being put under the pressure of having to do another one. Especially since his work is often half-assed.
(In case it’s not clear, the only Web designer I know well is me.)
As far as hosting goes, GoDaddy is practically free. But 16 bucks a month is pretty cheap. My ISP charges about $25/month, not including domain registration. On the other hand, my ISP provides excellent customer service.
wordpress. wordpress. wordpress.
Well… it’s not just hosting. They provide tools and templates for publishing the site. It’s basically as easy as Flickr, or something like that. It’s pretty great and seems like a ton of artists are using it now.
I figured it was more than hosting. I was just passing along for price comparison.
I guess it’s great except for splitting up your photos by individual piece.
Damn, I can’t stop using those smilies.