Tag: curating artwork

Why Every Portfolio Isn’t for Everyone Let’s start with a truth many artists overlook: your portfolio isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s tempting to create a single file with your favorite works and use it for every opportunity, but here’s the problem: what appeals to a gallery may not speak to a school admissions panel, and what collectors love might not be the same as what a curator is looking for. Different audiences have different needs, priorities, and expectations. Understanding who will view your portfolio can drastically change how your work is…

1. Your Portfolio is a Not a Scrapbook Let’s challenge a big idea: that your portfolio must tell your growth story. What if instead, your portfolio is about clarity, not chronology? In today’s saturated creative world, your audience isn’t looking for your origin story; they’re looking for a clear, bold window into your current identity as an artist. Growth is messy, non-linear, and often deeply personal , and that’s beautiful. But when someone’s browsing your portfolio, they have limited time. They’re seeking cohesion, not a diary. Your job isn’t to take…

What’s This Portfolio Actually For? Let’s be real, figuring out how long your portfolio should be is a bit like packing for a trip. Too little and it feels like you’re underprepared, too much and it becomes a hassle to carry. The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on where your portfolio’s going and who’s flipping through it. Are you applying for a residency, a grant, or finally updating that website your cousin’s been nagging you about since 2022? Every opportunity has its own expectations, and that changes the…