Stephen Burks: Shelter in Place

This book explores the diverse work of American industrial designer Stephen Burks, featuring essays, photo-essays, and a conversation between him and cultural critic bell hooks. It contextualizes Burks's work and explores its influence on politics, society, and culture. Burks's design philosophy is rooted in inclusivity and hand production, and he has collaborated with leading design-driven brands. The book highlights his workshop-based design practice and explores the potential of design for social and environmental justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

A comprehensive exploration of the distinguished career of award-winning American industrial designer Stephen Burks

This captivating book delves into the diverse body of work of Stephen Burks, a renowned American industrial designer, through a multifaceted approach. It comprises a collection of essays, photo-essays, and a captivating conversation between Black designer Stephen Burks and the late cultural critic bell hooks. This insightful text contextualizes Burks's extensive portfolio, while also examining the profound influence his designs have had on politics, society, and culture.

At the core of Burks's artistic vision lies his unwavering belief in a pluralistic approach to design that embraces and encompasses all cultural perspectives. This philosophy has earned him commissions from some of the world's most renowned design-driven brands, who seek his expertise to create collections that prioritize hand production as a catalyst for innovation.

The book focuses on the industrial design and craft collaborations that take place within Burks's workshop-based design practice. It provides a platform for reflection on the potential of design in a time when racial, social, and environmental justice remain at stake. The book explores various topics, including an overview of Burks's practice, from his formative years in Chicago's architectural culture to his latest speculative project. It also delves into the collaborative ethos of his studio, Stephen Burks Man Made, and examines the political dimensions of design.

In the engaging conversation between bell hooks and Burks, hooks brings her critical lens to design, exploring its relationship with the broader field of African American cultural production. The book offers valuable insights into the intersection of design, culture, and social justice, making it a must-read for design enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the transformative power of creativity.

Distributed by the High Museum of Art, this captivating publication is scheduled to be exhibited at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta from September 16, 2022, to March 5, 2023. Following its Atlanta debut, the exhibition will travel to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it will be on display from November 19, 2023, to April 14, 2024.

Dimension: 254 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300270853