Francesca Popescu Ife founded FPI Art Initiative in 2022 with a vision to connect emerging and mid-career artists with new audiences by integrating art into real estate and design. By organizing pop-up shows in luxury interiors and architectural spaces, Popescu Ife challenges the traditional art-viewing experience. Her approach transforms properties into lively showcases, where art becomes part of the environment, bridging the gap between a creative vision and the functional space.
FPI Art Initiative works closely with developers and artists to design cohesive exhibitions that align with the character of each space. Popescu Ife’s background in fashion and art, paired with her personal commitment to amplifying voices from underrepresented regions, brings a unique perspective to her curatorial work. Notable projects include collaborations with the Romanian Cultural Institute and a partnership with Veronica Beard in Southampton, highlighting her ability to merge art, culture, and commerce.
We spoke with Popescu Ife about her process, her Romanian heritage, and her experiences creating exhibitions that blur the lines between art, design, and architecture. From sourcing bold works to curating immersive environments, she offers a fresh take on how art can shape the atmosphere of a space.
Image courtesy of Estefany Parboleda.
How do you find the artists and the design or real estate firms you work with? What comes first? Can you walk us through how a pop-up show comes to life?
Francesca Popescu Ife: At FPI Art Initiative, we focus on creating opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists to showcase their work in luxury spaces across New York City, The Hamptons, and South Florida. Our process begins with building strong relationships with artists and understanding their work. Once I’ve identified potential artists, I pitch tailored proposals to developers and real estate firms to secure a venue. After selecting the venue, I develop the exhibition’s theme and narrative, ensuring a cohesive presentation that highlights the featured artists.
Architecture, design, and art are symbiotic, like layers of a babushka doll—each element builds on the other to create an immersive and harmonious experience.
With FPI’s focus on emerging and mid-career artists from underrepresented countries, how do you make sure that the art resonates with audiences in New York and other major art markets? Do you find that certain cultural themes or styles are particularly impactful?
Popescu Ife: At FPI Art Initiative, we believe all artists deserve a platform to showcase their work. When I launched, my focus was on emerging artists from Romania and Eastern Europe, regions underrepresented in Western art markets. Over time, we’ve expanded globally while still prioritizing artists with distinctive styles and bold, authentic voices that challenge commercial trends. By carefully curating exhibitions, we aim to educate audiences, foster dialogue, and bridge cultural gaps, ensuring the art resonates by highlighting the unique stories and messages behind each piece.
Your family background is Romanian, and you’ve worked on a project with the Romanian Cultural Institute. How has your Romanian heritage influenced your work, particularly in your project with the Romanian Cultural Institute?
Popescu Ife: Curating the show at the Romanian Cultural Institute was deeply meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. Titled Between Dreams and Realities: A Journey Through Painting and Sculpture, the exhibition featured five Romanian-American artists and allowed me to connect with my heritage in ways I hadn’t anticipated. From researching and reaching out to the artists to witnessing the cohesion of their distinct styles—sculpture, painting, and mixed media—it was an almost cosmic experience. The joy of bringing their works together and creating a dialogue between their identities and my own was truly unforgettable.
One of the most rewarding measures of success is witnessing the joy and satisfaction of the artists, clients, and collaborators I work with. Their happiness and the positive impact of our projects are my greatest triumphs.
Are some types of works generally better suited than others for the types of environments where your exhibitions take place? After a few years in, what have you seen work best and been the most successful in those spaces?
Popescu Ife: When curating artwork in interior spaces, I focus on creating a dialogue and cohesion between the art and design elements. The design sets the tone for selecting art, guiding the styles and mediums that will resonate best. I’ve found that a mix of painting, sculpture, and mixed media works particularly well, as it enhances not only the artwork but also the space itself. Architecture, design, and art are symbiotic, like layers of a babushka doll—each element builds on the other to create an immersive and harmonious experience.
I can imagine that success can be measured in many ways—by the impact on the artists or the response from the audience. How do you measure the success of an exhibition or project, and what has been one of your most rewarding successes so far?
Popescu Ife: Each project is a unique adventure, and that sense of discovery is what I love most about my work. For me, success is about creating meaningful experiences—for the public, the artists, and my collaborators. I take immense pride in providing a platform that allows artists to feel seen and celebrated while curating exhibitions that resonate deeply with audiences. One of the most rewarding measures of success is witnessing the joy and satisfaction of the artists, clients, and collaborators I work with. Their happiness and the positive impact of our projects are my greatest triumphs.
Your background is in fashion—you’ve graduated from FIT and spent a decade in the industry. How do you collaborate on projects that combine both fashion and art? Do you have any examples of how they can nurture each other?
Popescu Ife: There are many synergies between the worlds of fashion and art, as both are deeply rooted in creativity and storytelling. Fashion itself is an art form, often drawing inspiration from architecture, design, and fine art. This connection allows for unique collaborations that elevate both industries. For example, this past summer, I collaborated with Veronica Beard in Southampton to curate a pop-up art show in their boutique, showcasing Hamptons-based women artists. The event celebrated women-owned businesses in both fashion and the arts, creating a platform for artists to connect with collectors and art professionals while enhancing the boutique experience for customers. It was a perfect example of how fashion and art can nurture one another through shared values of innovation and community.
Looking forward, where do you see the intersection of art, real estate, and design heading? Do you have any long-term visions for FPI that you’re working towards?
Popescu Ife: The intersection of art, real estate, and design is becoming increasingly dynamic, with a growing emphasis on creating luxurious, community-focused environments in high-rise developments. Art is no longer just decorative—it’s an integral part of shaping the identity and experience of a space. At FPI Art Initiative, we partner with developers, architects, and interior designers to commission bespoke, meaningful artworks that enhance these spaces, adding cultural and aesthetic value. Looking ahead, my vision for FPI is to expand our reach by integrating more immersive, site-specific installations and fostering collaborations that push the boundaries of how art interacts with architecture and design.
Can you share what’s on the horizon for FPI? What project are you most excited about working on next?
Popescu Ife: There’s so much on the horizon for FPI Art Initiative, and I’m thrilled about what’s to come. I’m currently managing two incredible emerging artists and we just had FPI’s first pop-up art show during Art Basel Miami. In addition, I also curated a solo exhibition for a brilliant Italian artist—Paolo Corona in a luxury high-rise in Greenpoint Brooklyn, which ran from December 12–20, 2024. I’m also expanding my advisory services, welcoming new clients, and exploring innovative ways to connect art with audiences. The momentum is building, and I can’t wait to see these projects come to life as we start an exciting new year!
Featured image of Francesca Popescu Ife courtesy of BFA (Alex Marcano).