What is the primary purpose of an artist's portfolio?

The primary purpose of an artist's portfolio is to demonstrate an artist's capabilities. A portfolio serves as a curated collection of an artist’s best and most representative work, allowing them to showcase their skills, style, and creative vision to potential employers, galleries, or clients. It typically includes a variety of artworks that highlight the artist's range and proficiency in different techniques or mediums, giving viewers a clear understanding of the artist's abilities and artistic identity.

While an artist's growth and personal reflections may be recorded in other formats, like a journal, the portfolio specifically concentrates on presenting the artist's output and competencies in a professional context. Showcasing a timeline of art history or providing an art education overview does not align with the central goal of a portfolio, which is primarily to attract interest and validation of the artist's work in the art community or market.