Innerwoven—a debut exhibition produced by Of the Cloth—transforms The Private Dining room at The Standard, East Village into a tactile study of memory, identity, and form. Guests explored the intimate installation over natural wine and layered sound, surrounded by sculptural furniture, textiles and photography from four artists: Beoncia Dunn, Sarah Nsikak, Nifemi Ogunro and Karla Smith-Brown.
Before the doors opened, we sat down with curator Tione to talk about his roots as a collector, the emotional architecture behind INNERWOVEN and the power of creating space through story.
What first drew you to curating, and how did that evolve into Innerwoven?
Curating Innerwoven was a deeply personal journey that reflects not only the vision of the gallery but a lifelong relationship I’ve had with design and art. I’ve been collecting since childhood, drawn to objects, images and materials that tell stories. Over time, that instinct grew into a practice of curation grounded in reverence, narrative and cultural memory.
When building this installation, I knew it had to begin with a voice that could hold the weight of what was to come. Beoncia Dunn’s work was the first selected for Innerwoven and in many ways, it created the foundation that allowed the entire experience to unfold. Her photography series A Moment in Time is a moving archive of Black womanhood, capturing fleeting, intimate gestures that speak to memory, resilience, and generational strength. Her work doesn’t just fill space—it creates space—for reflection, for emotion, and for healing.
Why did Beoncia Dunn’s work feel like the right place to start?
Beoncia’s introduction to design began in her own childhood, inspired by the women in her life, especially her mother. That lineage of care and creativity pulses through her work and set the emotional tone for the installation.
From there, the narrative continued to unfold through the contributions of three other incredible artists:
Sarah Nsikak’s textiles brought a quiet vulnerability to the space—delicate, layered, and deeply felt. Her work reminded us that softness can be a source of strength.
Nifemi Ogunro’s furniture grounded the room with bold structure and intention. Her sculptural pieces offered a language of strength, presence, and pride.
Karla Smith-Brown’s work added movement and joy. Through vibrant color and whimsical detail, she offered a breath of lightness, a celebration of play, expression, and emotional freedom.
Beoncia Dunn, Nifemi Ogunro, Sarah Nsikak and Karla Smith-Brown All photos by Elevine Berge
What do you hope visitors take away from Innerwoven?
Together, these four artists created a space that is tactile, intimate, and alive. Innerwoven is not just an exhibition—it is a shared story. One that begins with Beoncia Dunn’s foundational vision and expands into a multidimensional experience of vulnerability, strength, joy, and legacy.
As a curator, it’s been an honor to witness and shape this moment. As a lifelong collector, it’s a reminder of why I fell in love with art in the first place.
