We live in an endless rhythm of history.

Material, land and stories echo and overlap with each generation. Each place retains our existence, while each person carries what they can from place to place.

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My creative practice explores boundaries that define land as home. Inspired by architecture as well as the lives and stories of people I construct fragmented landscapes.  My practice encompasses a range of media as a way of exploring these themes and applies personal narrative to constructions and spaces. I juxtapose photographic imagery with various art mediums to reflect on place through associated textures, patterns, surfaces and colors.  Land within my work is defined as an unstable evolving geographical location. Home is defined as a fixed psychological attachment to a geographical location. These ideas about home and land are utilized to reimagine the ways in which geographical changes intersect with heritage. My goal is to form an understanding of specific places and offer thoughtful investigations of everyday constructions and spaces.

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Melissa Riggatire is a New Kensington-based artist working in painting, drawing and photography.  She holds an MFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Seton Hill University with PA certification in art education. Her work has been featured in the Pittsburgh International Airport, Union Hall, Southside Works and UnSmoke Systems Artspace to name a few. She works as a full-time artist and educator.