TJ O’Keefe represents the new generation of American designers that both design and manufacture their own products. His work in sculptural furniture and lighting explores the challenges of efficiency and minimalism. By distilling each object to its most potent—and most powerful—form, TJ makes works free of connotation that convey calm, ease and wonder and create moments of meditative reprieve. In the classroom, he focuses on broad perspective, experience, formal acuity, independent problem-solving, and empathy, providing students space to define their own design identities.
TJ has exhibited in Chicago, New York, London, Berlin, Paris, and Basel, among other cities. In 2010, he launched his personal practice TJOKEEFE. His furniture has been featured in numerous publications including Frame, Wallpaper, Details, Elle Decor, and The New York Times and is represented in showrooms in both Chicago and New York.