Wright Auction

Norman Teague has emerged as a pivotal and indispensable voice in the realm of American Design. His prominence is not merely a product of his creative output but is rooted in a nuanced approach that delicately balances design as a social practice deeply embedded in the historical and contemporary fabric of his community—the vibrant  Black South Side of Chicago. At the core of Teague's philosophy is a commitment to mentorship and ethical production, which coalesce with the bespoke studio creation of experimental and meticulously crafted furniture and objects. These creations resonate with a profound African grammar, articulating design infused with a distinctive “Black intent.”

Teague’s overarching goal extends beyond the mere act of design; it is a mission to rectify the narratives of design that falter with gaps, omissions, and oversights. His work seeks to reintegrate the history and ongoing contributions of foundational Black labor and Black craftsmanship into our collective cultural identity. In this pursuit, Teague engages in a thoughtful dialogue with overlooked figures such as Chuck Harrison, the trailblazing African American head of design for Sears Roebuck. Harrison's legacy, marked by the creation of over 750 products integral to post-war American consumer life, including iconic items like Craftsman power tools and the beloved Viewmaster, serves as a source of inspiration and connection for Teague.

Crucially, Teague endeavors to make his design practice visible and accessible to his immediate community. This involves strategic initiatives such as public installations in parks and contributions to festival design, sparking local conversations about the profound impact of design. These conversations, while originating at a grassroots level, have a ripple effect, resonating nationally and globally.

Recently, Teague contributed to Everlasting Plastics, the 2023 United States pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Teague examined the extractive dynamic between global North and South, in which exploited petroleum eventually returns to the South as ever accumulating streams of plastic trash. Re-Inventing a method of extruding consumer plastic into colored coils as inspired by Ghanaian Bolga and Agaseke weavings, Teague created vibrant new vessel forms that both elevate petrochemical waste through the intervention of craft, but also exist as Afro futurist objects with a frankly dystopian edge. He will present RE + PRISE, a cabinet of the Venice work in plastics in collaboration with the New York design gallery R & Co at Design Miami/ 2023.

With a substantial and diverse portfolio, Teague’s influence extends across various realms, including nearly two dozen recent museum acquisitions. Norman Teague Studio (NTS) recently showcased its distinctive craftsmanship in the transformation of a Chicago interior for Good Chaos. Also of note is Teague's extensive collaboration history with artist Theaster Gates, where he led teams of young artists and designers in workshops for Gates "12 Ballads for Hugenot House" at dOCUMENTA 13 in Kassel. Additionally, as the co-founder of blkHaUS Studio alongside Fo Wilson, Teague has successfully completed diverse projects in Chicago and Nigeria, catering to clients ranging from Solange Knowles to the MCA. Concurrently, he maintains a role as an assistant professor at UIC, further enriching his multidisciplinary voice. Finally, he is the Creative Collaborator for the Barack Obama Presidential Center, a position that underscores his impactful presence in the creative sphere. Teague is set to unveil an upcoming exhibition that delves into mid-century Black design aesthetics at the McCormick House, an architectural gem designed by Mies Van Der Rohe, within the Elmhurst Art Museum in January 2024. 

Learn more at normanteaguedesignstudios.com