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David Slader's avatar

Thank you, Jennifer, for these thoughtful comments on the practice of artist statements. Many artists think they must sound profound which is an unfair burden. My favorite is probably by Jasper Johns who got right to the point, although he was being directive and not introspective: “Take an object. Do something with it. Do something else with it.”

That pretty much describes what I do with my work. My statement reads:

“I think with my hands. I don't tell them what to do and they don't tell me why they did it. That's the only way we get along. Each mark I make is a little window into a rented room where a collective of unreal shapes, lines, and colors jostle for position. Some stay, most get up and leave. Wrong party. Over days and weeks, if I am lucky, a confident figure starts to move, laugh, think. One day, it turns to me and says, ‘Hey, you there, you in the filthy apron, pour me a Scotch.’ As it’s not polite to let a painting drink alone, I pour two.”

David Slader

Dslader46@gmail.com

Davidslader.com

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Mark Dunst's avatar

I've read this several times. Really helpful. I've found myself tripping over explaining my work sometimes as I try to parrot my own artist statement which doesn't feel right. That's why I like the statement that you shared—it's vulnerable, deep, authentic and unpretentious. You've motivated me to rework mine (which I don't think I've ever said). Thanks!

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