A Cultivated Eye: Where Contemporary and 20th-Century Design Collide in NYC
An exhibition blending contemporary and 20th-century design has opened in New York City. Curated by interior designer Julie Hillman, The Cultivated Eye transforms an 80th-floor duplex into a living space filled with rare furniture, art, and textiles. The show runs until 30 November, coinciding with major art and design events like Frieze New York and NYCxDesign. The exhibition occupies a high-rise duplex in Midtown East’s Sutton Tower, offering sweeping views of Manhattan. Hillman designed the layout to resemble a lived-in home rather than a traditional gallery. At its centre sit two of her custom creations: a 15-foot sofa and a 9-foot square tête-à-tête, arranged to anchor the space.
Artworks and furniture span continents and eras. A vibrant painting by Aboriginal Australian artist Sally Gabori dominates the staircase, while a resin table by French artist Marie-Claude de Fouquières and a wrapped-magazines piece by Christo greet visitors at the entrance. Nearby, a lamp by Le Corbusier and a desk by Osvaldo Borsani share space with Hillman’s own designs. The collection also highlights mid-century European masters. Pieces by Italian designer Gio Ponti, French decorator Jean Royère, and sculptor Philippe Hiquily sit alongside hand-knotted wool rugs from Nordic Knots. These white, shaggy rugs were laid in an abstract patchwork pattern, tying the varied elements together. Galerie Gabriel, the host venue, selected the Sutton Tower location to complement the exhibition’s mix of intimacy and grandeur. The timing aligns with key cultural events, drawing visitors from Frieze, Tefaf, and NYCxDesign.
The show brings together Aboriginal, African, and European works in a single setting. Visitors can explore the dialogue between these pieces until the end of November. The duplex’s design ensures each artwork and furniture piece feels intentional, as if part of a collector’s personal home.
