Ban Artists From Writing Artist Statements
These are conventionally included with submissions for an exhibition and often are included in the show as a silly interpretive guide for visitors. Most artists are not writers, and, besides, artists shouldn’t have to justify their work. And when they do so in their Artist Statements, they usually sound ridiculous—especially so if any ‘appreciation’ of the work is dependent on wading through their politically correct ‘art speak’ justification for what they wrought. There are exceptions, of course, but only too often good art is made to seem ridiculous if one takes seriously the proposed rationale for it. And, alas, sometimes often insipid and vacuous art gets valuable exposure on the basis of some grandiose and overblown expression of its significance in an Artist Statement that bamboozles the selection committee.
