User:Quilla Constance

Quilla Constance
Quilla Constance (born 18 May 1980) is a British Fine Artist who communicates through the medium of Pop music and Pop video.

Early Years
Quilla Constance also known to the art scene as Jennifer Allen; was born in Birmingham, England to an English mother and Jamaican father. From the age of seven Constance attended The Jane Rose School of Dance, Birmingham, where she trained as a freestyle Disco and Latin American dancer through the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA). From an early age Constance would excel in prestigious competitions such as the World Disco Freestyle Championships, held at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

In 1997 Constance was talent spotted by DJ Pete Sheriff as she cut some sharp moves on a Birmingham dance floor-and subsequently hired as a 70's freestyle Podium dancer at the Dome II Discotheque, Birmingham where she acquired a taste for exhibitionism and outlandish disco dance costumes.

In 1998, Constance was awarded a scholarship to persue another great passion- painting, after being offered a place to study a BA in Fine Art, at the prestigious Ruskin School of Fine Art, University of Oxford. It was there that Constance began to explore the relationship between disco dancing and fine art, firstly through painting and sculpture, and then through performance and video art.

In 2001 she graduated from The Ruskin School of Art with a First Class Bachelor of Arts Degree, and at 21, she was offered a place at The Royal College of Art to read a Masters in Sculpture. However, Constance felt restless and keen to gain some first hand experience as a performer in London. Consequently she decided to leave the Royal College to begin working as a Striptease dancer at Secret's Gentlemen's Club, London. Here, Constance was intrigued by the seductive facade adopted by fellow dancers, and would spend a lot of time observing various scenarios between dancer and clientele. This research would later constitute an integral part of her art practice.

In 2004, Constance studied MA Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, University of London, and graduated in 2006 with a Distinction. 

In 2006 a spontaneous Burlesque song and dance routine performed at private members club- 'Morton's' saw Constance snapped up by music execs impressed with her daring and charisma...

Quilla Constance is currently working in collaboration with Electro pioneer Rusty Egan.