Terry Allen – really, you should know about him. The thing is, though, it is almost impossible to know where to start. His Wikipedia page says he’s  an “American Texas country and outlaw country  singer-songwriter, painter and conceptual artist.” And that’s true. But barely touches the surface of what he’s done. He’s recorded several albums, including the incredible Lubbock (on everything). His songs have been recorded by everyone from Guy Clark to David Byrne.

And, so then, in his spare time, he’s also a talented visual artist and sculptor. His work can be seen in places as diverse as the New York Museum of Modern Art, the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. You know, just to name a few.

Additionally, he and his wife, the artist and playwright Jo Harvey Allen, have recently established the Terry and Jo Harvey Allen Center for Creative Studies at Texas Tech, and have donated their personal papers to the university.

Want to know more? Here’s a song, Gimme a Ride to Heaven, that I’d recommend. Or, maybe you’re in the mood for a short film? (The film is produced by Lubbock’s own Paul Allen Hunton, if you were wondering.)

This piece, “Read Reader,” is made entirely out of cast books. And on a snowy morning, the figure seems to be striding with much determination toward the university library.

“Read Reader”
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 1.10.2021