Billy Tripp’s Mindfield in Haywood County

My blog posts are usually about genealogy but during last weekend’s trip to Haywood County, I had a few extra minutes to grab some photos of a very unusual folk art display right in the middle of Brownsville, Tenn. My wife is into outsider art so she would do a better job of explaining it but I did want to share my photos.

Located right next door to the grocery store where my grandmother won $500 at the “Let’s go to the Races” promotion, according to Wikipedia, the Minefield is the largest outdoor sculpture in Tennessee and reaches over 125 feet tall.

Sculpted by Billy Tripp, who is from Jackson, Tenn., the Mindfield has to be experienced. I’ve driven by it hundreds of times, but on this morning I was able to take the time to walk around and really look at it. The fact that it sits right in the middle of Brownsville makes it even more interesting.

Tripp began his sculpture in 1989 and he says he will continue to work on it until he dies and then it will become the place he is buried. The sculpture is intended to represent various events in his life including the death of his father, Rev. Charles Tripp. 

Ah ha…once you find out he was a preacher’s kid, that explains a lot.

The Mindfield is made from steel girders, scrap metal, and lots of other materials thrown in for good measure…including a bathtub, Incredible Hulk doll, water tower and…well you get the idea.

You can check out more photos from my personal Mindfield experience here but if you’re really wanting a dose of outsider art and Billy Tripp’s Mindfield (along with music by Joe Cocker), you could watch the video below. Then, the next time you are driving down I-40, take Exit 56 and visit it for yourself. 

One last tip: when you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Helen’s Barbecue and have lunch.