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Should an artist statement be in first person?

Follow the artist-statement instructions for the venue or application. Compare published first- and third-person preferences, then keep a clear version suited to its actual limit.

By Luis Wester · 2026-10-31

Short answer: Follow the application or venue’s instructions. First person is one common choice, while some guides recommend third person. The examples below show different published preferences; they do not establish a rule for every panel or gallery. A practical approach is to draft in first person and convert to third person when needed (Miller Foundation guidance; CaFÉ advice; Artquest guide; Artquest workbook).

When first person works best

In applications and artist websites, first person lets readers hear your voice directly and often reads as clearer and more relatable. CaFÉ, a platform used by many calls and juried shows, advises referring to yourself as “I” so your audience can connect with you (CaFÉ advice). The Miller Foundation tells Spark Award applicants that panelists strongly prefer bios and statements written in first person (Miller Foundation guidance).

For drafting, a concise first-person paragraph is an efficient starting point; you can transpose it to third person later if a venue asks for it (Artquest workbook).

When third person is expected

Some gallery contexts, catalogs, or press materials may expect third-person voice. The Artquest guide lists writing in the third person as a quality of a good artist statement in those contexts, alongside keeping language clear and objective (Artquest guide).

If the statement will appear as wall text or in curatorial material next to other third-person labels, match that style for consistency.

How to adapt between first and third person

Draft in first person, then convert:

First person: “I investigate memory through stitched photographs and found textiles.”
Third person: “[Artist name] investigates memory through stitched photographs and found textiles.”

Keep everything else the same: clear, specific, and free of hype. Objectivity and plain English improve readability in either voice (Artquest guide).

What to include (and what to leave out)

Include

What you make, why you make it, and how you make it.
Media, processes, themes, and influences that help a reader interpret the work (Artquest guide).

Leave out

Career history, exhibitions, jobs: those belong in your bio or CV, not the statement (Artquest guide; Artquest PRIMER).

Length

Keep a base version to about 100-200 words that you can expand or trim as needed (Artquest guide).

Practical steps that work

Write one short paragraph in first person answering What, Why, and How. Read it aloud.
Transpose to third person by swapping “I/my” for your name and “she/he/they” if a venue requires third person (Artquest workbook).
Strip out CV content; keep it on your bio/CV page (Artquest guide; Artquest PRIMER).
Edit for plain language and accuracy. Avoid jargon, hype, and superlatives (Artquest guide).
Maintain both versions on file so you can respond quickly to different calls and venues.

Make two clean versions of your artist statement

Draft a concise first-person version within the destination’s actual word limit answering What, Why, and How
Convert it to third person by replacing “I/my” with your name and “she/he/they”
Remove any exhibition lists or career details (move them to your bio/CV)
Read both versions aloud and cut jargon, hype, and vague claims
Save both files and paste the right one into each submission or wall label

FAQs

Is it wrong to mix first and third person?

Pick one voice per document or label. Switching midstream is distracting. Keep both versions on hand and use the one that fits the context.

Do I need both versions?

It helps. Some application guidance prefers first person and some gallery guidance recommends third person; check the actual destination. Drafting in first person and converting as needed is a time-saver (Miller Foundation guidance; Artquest workbook).