An artist bio and an artist statement are often confused. They are not the same thing — and understanding the difference will help you write both more clearly.
Your artist statement is about your work — the ideas, themes, and intentions behind what you make. Your artist bio is about you — who you are professionally, where you have shown, and what context shapes your practice.
Both matter. Both serve different purposes. And both need to be well-written to make a strong impression on galleries, residency programs, and open calls.
An artist bio is a short professional summary that gives selectors and viewers the factual context they need to understand who you are as an artist. It typically covers your name, location, medium, key exhibitions or residencies, education, and any relevant institutional recognition.
Think of it as the back-cover copy for your practice. It should be factual, professional, and specific — but also readable. A list of credentials formatted like a CV is not a bio.
This is the question most artists get stuck on, and the answer is: it depends on context.
When in doubt, write in third person. It is the safer default for professional contexts — and easy to convert if you need first person later.
For most submissions, aim for 100 to 200 words. Some platforms ask for a short bio of 50 to 75 words — always follow the specific guidelines if given.
A bio is a professional introduction, not your full story. Keep it tight.
You do not need to include everything. A bio that lists every group show since 2008 becomes unreadable. Choose the highlights that best represent where you are right now.
Avoid describing your work in the bio — that is what the statement is for. Avoid subjective language like "internationally acclaimed" unless you can back it up with specifics. And avoid starting with your birth year unless writing a formal critical text.
A simple and effective structure for a 150-word bio:
Maria Santos is a sculptor and installation artist based in Chicago. Her work has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, MASS MoCA, and at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Santos completed residencies at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the MacDowell Colony. She holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her recent work investigates the material and social residue of industrial labor in post-manufacturing cities.
Review your bio at least once a year. Update it to reflect your most recent exhibitions, residencies, and shifts in focus. Remove older credits as stronger ones accumulate.
Keep a short version (75 words) and a standard version (150–200 words) ready. Many submission portals ask for both.
ExhibitFolio analyzes your actual artwork and writes your artist statement, bio, and tearsheets — ready to submit to galleries, residencies, and open calls in minutes.
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