Artist Biography (Bio) Fact Sheet

SAM Artist Biography (Bio) Fact Sheet

This fact sheet covers guidelines and tips on creating an artist's biography for SAM.

What is an artist's biography, and why are they important?

An artist's biography is an important overview of an artist's personal and professional history and career achievements, and acts as a CV. 

An artist's biography is a condensed piece of writing that weaves together an artist's personal information and creative practice. 
A biography aims to give audiences insight into the artist's worldview and provide context for their art practice. 

Artist's biographies are used for many different applications, including provenance documentation, exhibition catalogues and labels, websites, reviews, QR codes and publications. 

“Essentially, an artist’s biography is a way for curators, collectors and the general public to ‘meet the maker’ of an artwork. 
It helps the artist’s audience connect to the artist and enhances their appreciation and understanding of the artwork.
For First Nations artists, a biography is especially important as our artists often make work that is inextricably connected to their culture, country and community. 
Biographies tell the stories of individual artists who collectively share the story of the world’s oldest cultural tradition.” 
- Hetti Perkins, Desart Curator

 

How long should an artist’s bio story be?

Well-crafted biographies summarise significant facts about artists and their practice. 
In SAM, you can save a short and long biography. 

1. Short Bio (condensed version) – 100 word length (maximum).
2. Long Bio (detailed version) – 200-400+ word length.

Point of View

• Historically, biographies were written in the third person. 
  When using this point of view, use the artist's quotes to ensure that the artist's voice is heard.
• Alternatively, artist biographies can be written in the first person (artist's voice), amplifying the artist’s voice.

Whichever convention your art centre follows, be consistent across all artists.

Guidelines & Tips

• Ensure there is adequate time for artist interviews.
• Adhere to cultural protocols.
• Never pressure artists to share 'closed or secret sacred' stories or fabricate information.
• Engage interpreters when requested or required (art workers are great to help with this) and include a translator in the documentation.
• Film or record artists (obtain permission), especially when on Country. 
  Videos and audio recordings can be linked to SAM artist profiles.
• Refer to language dictionaries, reference material, or any writing guides the art centre uses to ensure cultural information and spelling are correct and consistent.
• Encourage arts workers to help write and or record artists' biographies where appropriate.
• Be mindful that some artists prefer to write their bio stories themselves, and support them in doing so.
• Seek approval from artists on their biographies, ensuring they are happy with the final version.

Artist Bio Examples

Short Bio:

"My mum's father came from Kirriwirri in the North. I can paint that way too. I like painting, it's a good way to learn from old people, keep the stories going. Yunkurra (Billy Atkins (dec.)), my nyamu (grandfather), he's guiding me about what I can paint and share."
- Cyril Whyoulter

Cyril's mother's and Father's country is Jartuti. He is the grandson of senior Martumili Artists Bugai Whyoulter and Pinyirr (dec.). Cyril grew up in Parnngurr and Punmu communities. He now lives with his wife and children between Perth and Newman.

Cyril first developed an interest in art making when he began colouring in pencil with his grandfather Larry Patterson. An avid experimentalist and prolific painter, he has since mastered many painting techniques and developed his own signature style in which the influence of his grandmother Bugai is evident.
Reproduced with permission from Martumili Artists, Cyril Whyoulter ©
 

Long Bio:

"My mum's father came from Kirriwirri in the North. I can paint that way too. I like painting, it's a good way to learn from old people, keep the stories going. Yunkurra (Billy Atkins (dec.)), my nyamu (grandfather), he's guiding me about what I can paint and share. My closest family is the Taylor mob; uncle Muuki, Wokka (dec.), and Ngalangka (Nola). They help me too."
- Cyril Whyoulter

Cyril's mother's and Father's country is Jartuti. He is the grandson of senior Martumili Artists Bugai Whyoulter and Pinyirr (dec.). Cyril grew up in Parnngurr and Punmu communities. He now lives with his wife and children between Perth and Newman.

Cyril first developed an interest in art making when he began colouring in pencil with his grandfather Larry Patterson. An avid experimentalist and prolific painter, he has since mastered many painting techniques and developed his own signature style in which the influence of his grandmother Bugai is evident. Cyril is respected as a learned cultural leader, and is a strong proponent of the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Cyril has been a part of over 35 Group exhibitions, a finalist in the National Works on Paper prize at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, and a finalist in the Jury Art Awards, Port Hedland.
Reproduced with permission from Martumili Artists, Cyril Whyoulter ©

Interview Worksheet

Artist biography worksheets are helpful tools to support interviews. 
Prompt questions help capture information and create an overall story structure. 

Click here to download the Artist Biography Worksheet