The Revisionist Artist Statement
I hate artist's statements. It's ridiculous that an artist should be expected to explicitly explain what's behind a piece of work. Isn't that a job for the viewer to figure out on their own? Joerg has pointed out that they are frequently more than a little contrived if not disingenous.
Apparently artists have had a hard time talking about themselves for a long, long time.
I'm trying to talk about my work without saying so much about myself and leaving enough out that the viewer can still take an active part in the exchange.
http://www.paradisestudio.com/determination.htm
If all an artist can say about his work is " more than a little contrived if not disingenous." Then I would bet serious money that his/her work is also contrived and disingenuous.
Some of the smartest people I've know are artists and the best know where they're coming from and where they're going. Sometimes it takes a lot of thought to figure out motives but if you can't you better move on. It doesn't need to be spelled out to a T and sure some mystery is good, but you better have a justification for what you do as well.
You're really selling artist short with that kind of blanket statement. Cripes, Are you trying to send us back to the stone age? "Gee, I'm just an artist I just make pretty pictures I don't know how to write..." B llsh t!!!