The importance of writing about your art

Art can convey much more than words can. It has the ability to reach, touch, relate to emotions of the viewer. It can inspire, interact with and even evoke a response in terms of questioning certain views and ideas through its visual expression.
Where then is the importance of writing about the work?
During exhibitions, there are curatorial notes, artist’s statements of work. What is the importance of writing those? In other words, what role does written text play in interactions with the viewers?
Perusing, comprehending and interacting with artwork is an experience, not limited just to a particular section of people from the world of art and art lovers, but to multidisciplinary audiences coming from various fields and strata of society.
Everyone sees and interprets things in their own way, depending on their personal views, emotions, experience and understanding of the subject. When an artist writes about the work, it gives the viewer, an insight into the thought and inspiration behind creation of the artwork. Sometimes this awareness or insight itself may turn out to be a spark of inspiration for the audience, to build on the experience further. Also, learning about the story behind the creation or how the artist associates a situation or thought with the work, makes the audience understand and appreciate the work better.
Sometimes, certain aspects of the work which may otherwise not be apparent to the viewer may be highlighted by the artist through her (or his) statement.
Through writing, the artist can explain the process involved in making the artworks, the handing of medium and also elaborate upon the efforts gone in the process. This gives a better understanding to the viewer about how the piece evolved.
A curatorial note may throw light on the particular series of artwork in the historical context or may even bring in comparison with similar works of different artists in the past. It may educate the viewers about the genre or style of art. It may convey the work’s relevance in the present context too. The background knowledge of art history and art appreciation of a curator adds to what the works convey, making the viewers relate to art in a better way.
It can therefore be inferred that ascribing written text to your artwork adds value to the work and the interaction with the audience, making the experience more meaningful, educative, immersive and holistic.