Artist Installs Custom Garden Piece in Manhattan Home
Former US ambassador Randi Charno Levine commissioned Joana Vasconcelos to transform a West Chelsea loggia.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Interior Decorating
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Artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a custom, garden-themed art piece in the West Chelsea apartment of former US ambassador Randi Charno Levine. The installation features abstracted palm tree sculptures that function as seating within the residence.
Why it matters
The project serves as a creative intervention for the apartment loggia, merging Levine's interest in cultural diplomacy with a long-term professional relationship with the artist. It highlights the use of site-specific art to bridge domestic interior design with fine art.
The installation features a 4m-tall wrought-iron structure, reflecting the scale of previous collaborations between the artist and homeowner. The work incorporates layered textiles, fringes, feathers, beads, and ruffles.
The players
Joana Vasconcelos
She is a contemporary artist known for large-scale sculptural installations that utilize traditional craft materials like textiles.
Randi Charno Levine
She is the former US ambassador to Portugal who maintains an active role in curating art exhibitions.
Kelly Behun
She is an interior designer recognized for high-end residential projects that prioritize the integration of contemporary art.
The details
Designer Kelly Behun integrated upholstery from the home into the art installation to create a cohesive aesthetic between the living areas and the loggia. The space also includes a curated selection of works by artists such as Tschabalala Self, Jenny Holzer, Cecily Brown, and Hank Willis Thomas.
Timeline
In 2023, Joana Vasconcelos contributed a 4m-tall wrought-iron teapot to an exhibition curated by Randi Charno Levine.
During the A/W 2023 season, Levine attended a Dior show in Paris featuring works by Vasconcelos.
The project was featured in the Wallpaper November 2026 Art Issue published on October 8, 2026.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a growing trend among luxury homeowners to prioritize bespoke, site-specific art installations over traditional interior design choices. By blurring the lines between gallery work and home furniture, such commissions redefine the role of the modern domestic space.
For residents in West Chelsea, this project illustrates how high-end architectural developments are increasingly serving as private galleries for contemporary artists. Adopting such trends requires balancing personal living needs with the maintenance demands of specialized artistic textiles.
The takeaway
Homeowners interested in large-scale art installations should ensure that custom pieces are integrated seamlessly with existing furniture textiles for a cohesive look. Engaging in direct commissioning allows collectors to foster deep creative partnerships that extend beyond simple acquisitions.
Further reading
Explore more design trends in New York City Interior Decorating.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wallpaper*.
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