- Definition
An artist's statement is a short explanation from the artist about what their artwork is about, why they made it, and how they did it. It helps you understand their creative choices.
An artist might write, 'I used swirling blue and grey paints to show the feeling of a stormy day.'
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An artist's statement is like the 'behind the scenes' commentary for a piece of art, where the creator explains their ideas and choices.
Ask your child: If you wrote a note about your drawing, what is the main idea you would want to share?
Common mix-up: Kids might think it's just a label describing what the art shows. An artist's statement is the artist's own story about their ideas, feelings, and process.
Examples
- A photographer could write about why they chose to take pictures of their own neighbourhood.
- A sculptor might explain why they used recycled materials to build their sculpture.
artist’s statement is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
