SENTIENT X Riccardo Vecchio

The collaboration between SENTIENT and Riccardo Vecchio transforms the Sapience Chair into a canvas for environmental justice by bringing attention to disparities in tree coverage.

SENTIENT is proud to partner with artists who bring a profound vision and purpose to our furniture designs, transforming each piece into something truly meaningful. For this collaboration, we worked with Riccardo Vecchio, an acclaimed artist whose work centers on social and environmental themes, to reimagine our Sapience Chair. Riccardo’s art extends beyond aesthetic expression; it serves as an impactful message about environmental justice and awareness. By offering the Sapience Chair as a canvas, SENTIENT invited Riccardo to integrate his powerful imagery, bringing his message to life through our craft. This unique collaboration fuses our dedication to high-quality design with Riccardo’s mission to highlight the need for environmental change, creating a piece that embodies both artistry and activism.

Environmental Justice Through Design

The Sapience Chair, known for its balance of form and fine craftsmanship, becomes a storytelling canvas under Riccardo Vecchio’s vision. His imagery is part of a broader initiative, 31 Degrees, which focuses on environmental justice and the importance of tree coverage in urban areas. By imprinting these ideas onto the Sapience Chair, Riccardo transforms the piece into a symbol of nature’s role in our lives and the disparities that exist in its presence. This collaboration pushes the boundaries of what furniture can represent—a call for awareness and change, a blend of fine art, activism, and high design—showcasing SENTIENT’s belief in the power of art to inspire dialogue and transformation. 

“The images depicted on the Sapience Chair and the accompanying silk screens displayed here are an extension of Riccardo Vecchio’s broader public arts project, 31 Degrees. 31 Degrees gives visibility to environmental injustice by bringing attention to disparities in tree coverage, with drawings that will be translated into murals to bring arboreal beauty to areas where walls are more prevalent than trees. 31 Degrees aims to work with city agencies, organizations, and communities to facilitate the planting of trees in neighborhoods that need them most.

This piece, alongside other collaborations with local artists and the Sapience Chair, has been exhibited at prestigious venues and shows such as ICFF and AAF, highlighting the intersection of fine craftsmanship, art, and meaningful storytelling.