Zimbabwe Artists Project
Writing each artists’ bio and including a photo with her art is a marvelous idea. Just knowing a bit about the artist multiplies my emotional connection with the piece, and the likelihood that I’ll support the project with my purchase.
With that said, the quality of the bios vary. Writing a more personable bio improves the chance the reader will connect with -and buy- the art.
Notice the difference between these two examples. The first bio is written in a comparatively dry style. Just the facts. The second bio mentions a few details about the artist’s life which builds a stronger emotional bridge to connection.
Write a Bio Example #1
Tendai was born near Mutare in 1968. She finished the equivalent of Grade 10, and then did a dressmaking course before getting married in 1990 and moving to Weya. She learned sadza painting at Weya and then took up appliqués from watching other artists. She has two children, a daughter born in 1990 and a son born in 1994. Her son has cerebral palsy. Tendai’s husband works in Harare, and the family lives in Kuwadzana, a township outside the city. Her favorite topics are about village life and her own family.
Write a Bio Example #2
Martha was born in 1958. She went to school through Grade 7, stopping because her father wasn’t working and there was no money to continue. She has two children. Her husband works in Harare, 100 miles away. He comes home every month end.
Martha began painting in 1998 “because it is easy for me,” and in order to make some money. Her favorite subjects are village life “because I see what is happening in our village,” and ancient life.
In the first bio, the information could be posted in a bulleted list. The details give a snapshot of Tendai’s life, but we have to draw our own conclusions.
In the second bio, we get a better sense of Martha’s life. Little details like ‘why she had to leave school’, ‘how infrequently she sees her husband’, and ‘why she began painting’ all help to fill out the person behind the artwork.
The difference starts with the questions used. From her bio, I imagine that Tendai was asked mostly fact-based questions, and gave factual answers; ‘How much education do you have?’, ‘Where does your husband work?’, and ‘How many children do you have?’ Important questions, but they limit the bio’s potential to connect.
Martha may have given longer answers to the same questions. Her bio shows that better questions yield a stronger connection. ‘How much education do you? Why did you leave school?’ ‘Where does your husband work? How often do you see him?’ ‘Why did you start to paint?’ These questions yield deeper, more colorful answers.
How does this help you write a better bio?
Well, does your bio resemble the first or second example? Are you including ‘just the facts’ or are you showing a bit about yourself, too?
What questions could you answer to give your bio more color?
{ 0 comments }
