“Play!” at Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery
- Upstairs NYC
- Feb 1
- 2 min read
A whimsical, "living and breathing" room where 1920s antiques meet 21st-century innovation.
Location: Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery, Tribeca, New York City
Dates: January 31 – March 21, 2026 (Open Wed–Sat)
Overview: As a delightful antidote to the bleak mid-winter, Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery in Tribeca presents “Play!”—an exhibition that invites us to shed our self-consciousness and reconnect with the unbridled joy of a childhood bedroom. Since its opening in 2022, this gallery has been a favorite for those who blur the lines between fine art, decorative antiques, and modern design.
Contemporary works by:
Joana Avillez
Elliot Camarra
Libby Rosen
Doug McCollough
Matt Paweski
& a selection of historical design
Details
Venue: Sotheby’s New York, Madison Avenue (former Met Breuer)
Format: Public exhibition prior to auction
Works: Master drawings spanning approximately four centuries
Access: Open to the public during viewing hours
Context: Part of Sotheby’s Masters Week
Key Takeaways
Curation Without Boundaries: Gallery founder Jacqueline Sullivan rejects the traditional "white cube" gallery format. Here, a 1970s Ettore Sottsass coat rack stands alongside contemporary "face-in-hole" boards by Joana Avillez, creating a space that feels more like an exquisite private sanctuary than a formal showroom.
Contemporary Sparks: Featured artists were prompted to explore "play" without ego. Highlights include Libby Rosen’s luminous marbled textiles and Doug McCollough’s "floating" Queen Anne-style cabinet that hides a magical surprise inside.
Historical Whimsy: The show features rare, charming objects like a 1977 kinetic lamp by Garry Knox Bennett that lights up when you touch its tail, and circus-themed Murano glass pendants that cast a nostalgic glow over the space.
An Insider’s Tip:
The gallery is perched on the fourth floor of a historic Tribeca building. The climb up is a literal warm-up for the "joyful reprieve" waiting inside. Don't miss the 20th-century wooden toy from France—a mesmerizing analog racing horse wheel that offers a "downward spiral" you’ll actually find charming.
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