Audio By Carbonatix
It was three years ago I was first introduced to the work of Justin Terveen, though I didn’t know it then — clearly. But since then, of course, I’ve fallen in love with his photos — clearly. Hard to say which is a favorite. This one? No, wait, this one. Or this one? Fine — all of these.
“I get asked that quite a bit: ‘Which is your favorite?,'” says Justin. “Sublime Red Line was, for a long time, my favorite shot. But I take so many it’s tough to pick just one.”
Tonight, Justin bows his first-ever exhibition: “Urban Fabric: The Photographic Art of Justin Terveen,” doors opening at 7 p.m. at the Kessler Theater. There will be some 60 pieces on display, big and small, “priced to move,” as Justin puts it. Among the largest will be a panoramic view of the skyline; others familiar to the Friends will also be available, better than any Black Friday bargain.
It occurred to me this morning: As long as I’ve known Justin I’ve never asked when or why he began shooting Dallas. So, this morning, I asked.
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“I grew up in the country, and the city was the polar opposite, and that’s one thing that attracted me to it,” says Justin, who grew up in Collin County and went to high school near Harlingen. “Ever since I was a kid, I remember my first trip to Reunion Arena and going up in the ball and being fascinated by the city and its energy. In 2004 I was going nowhere, and I borrowed a camera and started shooting the city. I live down here [downtown] and loved the way the city looked — the feel, the vibe, the everything. But it was boredom more than anything.”
A year later he was getting gigs — his first was for the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, then for the city and the convention and visitors bureau. His work adorns downtown rehabs; many photos hang in the Merc. Tonight, though, they can be yours. Clear a space on the wall.
