Discover New Art at Texas Tech’s Public Art Collection

Texas Tech University’s campus is one of the most beautiful areas in Lubbock. Part of the beauty can be traced to the unique art pieces that add to the perfect blend of Spanish-Renaissance, modern and English-Manor architecture. Texas Tech’s Public Art Collection is an ongoing project that celebrates the talent found within each creative design. Each piece has a special tie to the university, but what makes this campus truly one-of-a-kind is the cultural experience one gets while strolling through it.

Students and visitors experience vastly diverse works of art as they stroll throughout campus. With new pieces added often, we thought we’d give you insight into five of the newest pieces to see! Make sure to download the ArTTrek app for a map detailing the location, artist, and inspirational details of each piece of art. 

Red Tail – Peter Mangan – Steel/Glass/Brass – Museum of Texas Tech University

As a symbol of the red-tailed hawk soaring over an arroyo, the Red Tail highlights freedom, aspiration and the glory of nature. Located in front of the Museum of Texas Tech University, this sculpture depicts an iconic Texas scene. Both images are symbolized by the eco-garden and sculpture at the museum’s main entrance.

Zephyr – Marc Fornes and The Very Many – Aluminum – Honors Hall

The Zephyr, placed at Honors Hall, is a creative design that illustrates different limbs extending from an intricate center. As a symbol of the university community, many parts give strength to the whole. The self-supporting structure was thoughtfully placed to be an area for socializing in the midst of the chaotic paths around campus.

Photography Credit – Marc Fornes/ THEEVERYMANY & NAARO

Pulse– Adam Frank – LED Display/Diffuser/Sensors/Custom Software – TTUHSC University Center Lobby

Texas Tech’s newest addition, Pulse, is an interactive installation of an anatomically accurate circulatory simulation made from an LED display, diffusers, sensors, and custom software. The piece is located in the Health Sciences Center Lobby and is a symbol of health, compassion, and scientific inquiry – which can also be found within the education provided at the Health Sciences Center. Pulse uses its sensor to change the rate of the heartbeat and breathing with the number of people found in the building at the present time.

Complete Fragment – James Surls – Bronze/Stainless Steel – TTUHSC University Center

James Surls created Complete Fragment as a symbol of three complete parts coming together to make a whole. Each piece represents the origin of life through the depiction of molecules. The unique design allows the viewer to observe the sculpture as a whole from any angle. Surls explains the three components, while being complete in and of themselves, embodying the connecting tissue of the human endeavor. The symbolism in this sculpture depicts the human experience as each life being of equal importance, together making up the “magic of the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.” 

Run – Simon Donovan and Ben Olmstead – Stainless Steel/LED – TTU Sports Performance Center

Run offers viewers a creative execution of the evolution of a female athlete running. In the piece, each pose acts as a captured free-frame illusion at five different stages of running. The figures are created out of dozens of laser-cut slices of vertical steel layered with pegs. As you move around the piece, notice the shifting effect that takes place to create a different vision with each angle. This design was inspired by Texas Tech track athletes.