Olga Constantine, Untitled. 1964. Paper collage on board.
May 30, 2019
Olga Constantine
Untitled
1964
Paper collage on board.
Olga Constantine’s work explores spiritually powerful realms and often depict scenes of land, water, and sky. She takes techniques of traditional art making and uses them in contemporary ways. Though the content of her paintings are derived mainly from her personal experiences, their accessibility speaks to an idea of universality.
Constantine was born in 1929 in Detroit, MI. Her interest in art making brought her to Wayne State University, where she earned her B.F.A. in 1951. Following her degree, she briefly attended the Cleveland Institute of Arts. She then went back to Wayne State University to earn her M.A. In 1953, she began teaching at Wayne State University as a part-time instructor and later earned full-time status in 1956. During her 1966 sabbatical, Constantine was able to hold an exhibition in Athens. Since 1960, she has won numerous awards in juried exhibitions including the annual Exhibition for Michigan Artists at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Biennial Michiana Art Exhibition in Indiana. She continues to be represented in both private and public collections around the United States.
In teaching at Wayne State University, she met James Lee Byars, who was one of her students and only three years her junior. Her art had a strong influence on his work. Constantine and Byars remained close friends for most of their lives and frequently sent each other letters when they were apart. The letters, along with the work of James Lee Byars, are being shown at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery from April 5th, 2019 to July 5th, 2019.
-Written by Marissa N. Gannascoli-