OPC Benches

The artwork

Artist Norman Teague created this group of eight walnut benches as a tribute to his roots in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. The benches are shaped with soft, rounded lines and built from richly varied walnut wood that reflects warmth and depth. Their design is simple but intentional: a small, almost invisible joint at the center of each seat speaks to the often unnoticed bonds that hold people together. The work turns everyday seating into a reflection on care, heritage, and connection.

Location: Museum | Museum Gallery Seating

The artist

Norman Teague is a Chicago-based designer and educator known for his work in custom furniture, fashion, and public sculpture. Born and raised on the South Side, he studied architecture at Harold Washington College before earning degrees from Columbia College Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is now an Adjunct Associate Professor of Industrial Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago.