The elements of the visual art portfolio generally consist of the following elements, each of which will discuss in the coming weeks.
Images:
Most opportunities will want to see anywhere from 10-25 images of your work. This may be in the form of slides or digital files depending on the organization. It is therefore a good practice to have your work available in both forms.Statement:
An artist's statement speaks for you. It tells an individual, jury or committee what the work they're seeing is about.Resume:
An artist's resume is not an employment resume. It is used exclusively for seeking visual arts opportunities such as residencies, scholarships, graduate applications, and gallery representation.Slide Information Sheet:
The slide sheet tells people the basics of what they are seeing: title, media, dimensions, date of execution, and location.Slide labels:
Slide labels give people the same information as your slide sheet. They should be printed on adhesive labels and secured neatly and consistently.Qualty:
The quality of your images will be the first thing that the person looking at your slides will notice. If the slide is dark, out of focus, or crooked, you will most likely be eliminated immediately. Your visual work is, by far, the most important aspect of your portfolio, and should be treated as such.Content:
Careful editing of your images (after quality) for aesthetic or conceptual coherence will allow people who don't know you to take you more seriously. It is usually safe, depending on what you are applying for, to submit one well- documented body of work. Although some people select a single piece from every body of work. It's going to be up to you, but choose carefully! **If you are a photographer with ambitions of commissions or commercial type work, breadth is important (but within reason).Presentation:
If you are planning to consult with art dealers/clients, you will want to present your work in a presentation book, which can be purchased online (below) or at the better photo retailers, and range in cost from $7 to $300. The book should contain your resume/bio in the first sheet and 8"x10" or 11"x14" photographs thereafter. Give some thought to whether a "portrait" or "landscape" book will serve your needs best.Application:
If you are using your portfolio to apply for a scholarship, grant, residency or graduate program, it should be tailored to the specifications of the application. This usually means a chosen body (media, style) of work in slide or digital file format (no photographs unless originals are requested), resume, statement, slide sheet, and SASE. It is bad form to send any materials that have not been requested. Count on your superior quality images, neat labeling and descriptive statement to set you apart from the crowd.Some online retailers of student-super fancy portfolio books: