Nora Riggs Solo Show

Tappeto Volante proudly presents Uneasy Listening, a solo exhibition of paintings and gouache on paper by Northampton-based artist, Nora Riggs.

Riggs explores themes of human connection, longing, and the pervasive influence of technology in contemporary society through a meticulous fusion of figurative and still-life compositions. Her figurative pieces oscillate between narration and portraiture, each imbued with a nuanced portrayal of the human experience, delicately balanced between poignancy and humor.

In Riggs' paintings, everyday objects take on symbolic significance, serving as vessels for nostalgia and interpersonal connection. Her still-life pieces (Still Life with Salmon, Still Life with Swedish Fish, Still Life with Fanny Pack) evoke a wistful yearning for a bygone era untouched by the distractions of modern technology, drawing parallels to the tradition of memento mori or Joseph Cornell assemblages.

The paintings Woman and Child with Umbrella and Pipe Smoker convey a sense of yearning for connection and existential contemplation. The subjects' gazes into the void reflect a profound emptiness and melancholy within the context of modern existence. The use of historical art references in mundane settings suggests a deep longing for meaning and connections to emotional narrative. Similarly (Couple and Driver) make use of a forced perspective to present two concurrent actions, one of the couple in the back seat kissing and the driver stealing a glance at his copulating passengers, a look suggestive of both mild irritation and longing. 

Drawing parallels to the techniques of Domenico Gnoli, Riggs' enlargement disrupts conventional perspectives, employing cinematic techniques (Two Girls Dancing) offering a monumental portrayal of the female form, where the figures, in 80s-inspired pattered attire, dominate the frame, extending beyond conventional spatial boundaries. 

Riggs' oeuvre invites viewers on a reflective journey through the intricate tapestry of human emotion and the enduring quest for connection in an increasingly disconnected world, Navigating the complex terrain between regional modernism, craft, social and private politics, and the fluidity of historical discourse, Uneasy Listening explores the symbiotic relationship between memory and emotion, transcending temporal and contextual boundaries.

Nora Riggs (b. 1972) lives and works in Northampton, Massachusetts. She completed her BFA at RISD in 1994 and her MFA at Indiana University in 1996. After Graduating, she moved to NYC and worked for many years as a night security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This immersion in the works of art history has had a profound and lasting effect on her art practice. She is represented By Tif Sigfrids Gallery and has exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Georgia, and Massachusetts.