Constance Van Rolleghem

My work

The thoughts of those who do not conform to communication norms struggle to be heard, and their voices often remain silent.

Due to her neurodiversity, Constance, early in her life, used her uncontrolled cacography to create and communicate her thoughts. Trying to perfect her writing led to an endless cycle of tutoring and re-education. In the process Constance freed herself from a dominant hand lateralization by using ambidextrous gestures. This is how the Scriptogram, a poetic choreography of words, became her tool to communicate.

Her aesthetics play with the properties of each of her materials to enhance her messaging. The medium then creates a dialogue with the rhythm and repetition of the selected words. The resistance and fragility of the paper leads to a metamorphosis. This gives transparency to the topography and stratifications that will define the Scriptogram’s shape and rhythm. The interrelationship between the pen and the paper strengthens the effect of the work.

Constance has also used installations, photography, and computers to search for other unconventional ways to communicate. In her Photoscripts, she photographs macro moments in her work or in nature which are reminiscent of signs of language written over time. Her Scripts allow her to control the uncontrollable. She uses the computer to combine words in precise ways that cannot be achieved if written by hand. Her Installations consist of suspended Scriptograms that form a space where viewers can enter and experience with all their senses, an immersion into the experience of writing.

The goal of Constance's long-standing work with the disability community and cultural institutions is to acknowledge that art and creativity are critically linked because it offers us an alternate way to communicate our thoughts. She has done this her entire life and found self-worth within a society that is still very discriminative.

Constance's poetic artistry liberates us from our automatic recognition of language and brings us to a decisive moment of abstract communication. This allows any expression of thought to be recognized.

CV

Education:

Académie Royale des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Bruxelles, Diplome de l’Enseignement Artistique Superieur; 4 year diploma in artistic drawing, Thesis: “History of writing in art, as a support for personal inspiration”

Studio Daniel Pierot - Two-year study of 16th -18th century painting restoration, Brussels Belgium

Université Libre de Bruxelles - One year independent study in Art History

Residencies:

Saltonstall Residency, Ithaca, New York, October 2023

Ibiza Ping Pong, month-long residency at La Pandilla, Ibiza, Spain, Feb - Mar 2023

Exhibitions:

Presentation of the Ping Pong Residency work, La Pandilla, Ibiza, 2023

4 for Arts Gallery, Summer group exhibition – Lennox, MA, 2020, 2021

“8 Belgian Artists”, Belgian Consulate Residence – New York, NY, 2019 - 2020

Scriptograms: Rivers of Thought – Saffron, Brooklyn, New York, 2012

Photoscripts: Snapshots of Ephemeral Moments – Journey, Dumbo, New York, 2012

T.O.A.S.T. Tribeca open artist’s studio tour, 2010

Belgian Artist group Show at the Lincoln Center, New York, New York, 2002

Group Show “Vrijverhof“, Brussels, Belgium, 1999

Itinerant Group Show “ Belgische Kunstenaars in America,1998

Outdoor Show organized by Nathalie Beeckman Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium, 1995

Solo Show, Générale de Banque - Generale Bank, Brussels, Belgium, 1995

Group Show, Nathalie Beeckman Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium,1995

“8 Belgian Artists Living in New York City”, ‘Z’ Gallery, New York, New York, 1993

Group Show, Art Wall + B Gallery, Rutherford, New Jersey, 1992

The Rope Show, Group Show, Artists Space, New York, New York,1992

Solo Exposition, “L’Autre Musée”, Brussels, Belgium, 1991

Group Show, Art Wall + B Gallery, Rutherford, New Jersey, 1991

Solo Exposition, Galerie l’Oeil, Brussels, Belgium, 1990

“Material Evidence” Group Show, Luise Ross Gallery, 50 West 57th Street, New York, New York, 1990

“Encre Intimidante” Solo Exposition, Galerie l’Oeil, Brussels, Belgium, 1989

“Bilan/Prospective” Group Exposition, Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, Belgium, 1989

“Biennale Jeunes Talents ‘88”, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cherleroi, Belgium, 1988

“Hendeka” Group Exposition, Galerie Bortier, Brussels, Belgium, 1985

“La Maison de Papier” Installation, Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, Belgium, 1985

Collections:

Belgian Tourist Office - 780 Third Avenue, New York City

ABN AMRO Bank - 359 Madison Avenue, New York City

Bertha Urdang - New York City, New York