How to Write a Winning Artist Bio (with tips and examples)
- Uyo Ani
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Your artist bio is a very important tool in your professional toolkit. Whether you’re applying for exhibitions, approaching galleries, growing your presence on social media, or building your website, a strong bio will tell the world who you are, what you do, and why it matters.
However, as a creative, writing about yourself can feel awkward. So here’s a simple to follow step-by-step guide on how to write an artist bio that actually works.
1. Begin With the Basic Tips for Writing An Engaging Artist Bio
What to include:
Your name
Where you're based
A quick summary of your style or focus
Your medium(s)
Example:
"Jummai Horne is a mixed-media painter based in Liverpool, specializing in bold abstract landscapes that explore memory, mood, and the passage of time."
Key Tip: Keep this part short. 1–2 sentences. You can expand on it later.
2. Personalise It With Your Background Or A Good Hook.
Go one step further. Share something personal about how you got into art, a key moment in your journey, and what drives your work.
Consider:
What sparked your creative path?
If you studied art or you are self-taught.
Any personal experience that influences your work.
Example:
"Growing up in Western Africa, Jummai’s early memories of colourful landscapes and family, continue to shape her visual language today. After training in visual arts at Lagos University, she developed a process-based approach rooted in intuition and emotion."
3. Describe Your Work With Clarity
Although lots of artists get stuck at this point, it is important to describe your work in simple terms, without being vague or overly technical.
Key Tip: Aim for clarity with just a touch of poetry.
Ask yourself:
What materials or techniques do you use?
What themes do you explore?
What do you want your audience to feel or think?
Example:
"Jummai’s paintings blend mixed media and layered acrylics to create textured, dreamlike landscapes. Through realism, she calls on viewers to reflect on memory, emotion, and the spaces we carry within."
4. Highlight Accomplishments (in a non-braggy way)
You can include:
Publications
Notable collections
Exhibitions
Residencies
Awards
Example:
"Her work has been featured in exhibitions in a number of countries, including at the Nike Gallery in Abuja. She was awarded the an Artist Fellowship from the Boston Arts Foundation in 2021."
Key Tip: Don’t list everything—this isn’t a résumé. Prioritize the most recent or most important items.
5. End With What You’re Currently Working On
Let people in on what you’re currently working on or looking forward to. This helps your bio feel updated and active.
Example:
"She is currently developing a new series inspired by family experiences and teaching workshops on imaginative painting."
Key Tips:
Write in third person if the bio is for professional use. This would be if you’re looking to write an artist bio for a website, the press, or a gallery. Use first person on social media or artist statements.
Keep the bio short and sweet. 150–250 words for a short bio, and up to 500 for a long version.
Read it out loud. This would help you catch awkward phrases or confusing sentences.
Update it regularly. Refresh your bio every 6–12 months with new work, themes or shows.
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