Jake Reinhart is a photographer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.A. in Sociology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Jake has assisted photographers such as Zoe Strauss, Mark Neville and Melodie McDaniel. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Silver Eye Center for Photography. He has exhibited his photos in Pittsburgh, Nashville and San Francisco. His work explores the influence economic change has on the individual and the community.
Homespun
“Homespun” is often used to describe the unrefined quality of an object; however, it can also imply a unique or personal touch. It is a term that can convey self reliance or lack of sophistication.
As a teenager I witnessed the dismantling and disrepair of the structures that represented the identity of an entire region. I would often hear my hometown described as dirty and broken; a place to be avoided. We were stereotyped as provincial; holding on to glory days that had long past. That sentiment was often in direct opposition to my experiences. The back and forth between personal experience and public opinion created feelings of isolation and alienation. I grew to realize that I live in an place that is coarse yet captivating.
The physical environment served as a reminder that our accomplishments are fleeting in the cycle of change. Which in turn has impacted the psychological aspects of cultural memory and personal identity.
To view more of Jake’s work, please visit his website.