For some collectors, acquiring art is a matter of investment or prestige. For others, it is a profoundly personal act—an encounter guided by intuition, emotion, and an unspoken dialogue with the artist. Our guest belongs firmly to the latter category. Drawn to works that reveal a compelling narrative and an authentic artistic voice, art collector Bouziane Behillil invites us into a conversation where we explore the sensibilities, passions, and convictions that have shaped his collection over the years.  

WIN Gallery: How did those early experiences evolve into a passion for collecting? What inspired you to move from admiring art to becoming its custodian?

Bouziane Behillil: Surrounding oneself with beautiful things that inspire the soul is a somewhat mystical pursuit. I haven’t thought about collecting as much as I have about sharing my daily life with the artists I meet. I also serve as a legal advisor to renowned French and international galleries in Paris and elsewhere.

WIN Gallery: How long have you been collecting art, and in what ways has your collection evolved over the years?

Bouziane Behillil: I began collecting artworks—which are as essential to my well-being as close friends—25 years ago. My tastes have evolved from figurative to abstract, and from classical to contemporary and modern.

An artist like Caravaggio had a profound influence on me, as did Rembrandt, for that matter, or da Vinci—their ability to convey their perception of the world in their own time and to bring it to life across the ages, through the eyes of viewers.

Then I moved fairly quickly toward the abstract artists, de Chirico, or even Braque, not to mention the Flemish painters, the Van Eyck brothers, the Italians—both old and modern (Adami)—the Spaniards, including Velázquez, and the French painters, both old and modern; there are so many, and among the most relevant, Gerhard Richter, the greatest still living. I’d like to mention a painter who is still relatively unknown but deserves to be better known: Jean Degottex, whom I highly recommend. There are so many that I’m bound to forget some.

WIN Gallery: Every collection tells a story about its collector. Could you introduce us to your collection and the ideas, values, or aspirations that unite its various pieces?

Bouziane Behillil: Describing a collection is difficult. You have to choose the works based on your tastes and sensibilities. For example, you might love graffiti artists like Jonone or Fabien Verschaere and be completely captivated by Calder, or Serra, or even Tiepolo (father and son). An African artist like Zutanda Emba, or a Romanian painter like Ioana Raluca Zamfir, who is talented and whose work I believe will continue to evolve toward new heights of sensitivity... Basquiat is also one of my passions. I’d add the Israeli artist Aaron Gluksa or the young French artist François Ribes, who doesn’t paint nearly enough. A special mention goes to Peter Glasen, a wonderful artist whose market value isn’t high yet and whose work is still accessible.

WIN Gallery: Are there any recent acquisitions—or perhaps works that hold a special place within your collection—that you would like to share with us?

Bouziane Behillil: Degottex, Klasen, T'ang Haywen, and even Richter are my passions. Whenever I can, I go all out—whether for small works or larger ones. A word of advice: collect only genuine, authentic pieces and avoid lithographs.

WIN Gallery: When considering a new acquisition, what qualities capture your attention most strongly? To what extent do factors such as an artist's career trajectory, critical recognition, or historical significance influence your decision? 

Bouziane Behillil:  I’m not particularly interested in the artist’s career path, but I like to discern the artist’s personality and originality in their work. It has to move me deeply or leave me with a vague, strange feeling.

WIN Gallery: Along the years, WIN Gallery has been a focal point and a solid base of development for contemporary Romanian artists' international careers. As a matter of fact, in your collection you already have an artist represented by WIN Gallery. What role do art institutions play in your decision-making process? 

Bouziane Behillil: It is the artists who fascinate me, and the galleries that showcase them have my respect.

WIN Gallery: Do you work with art advisors or other art professionals to help select or source artwork? And if so, do you think that it is an important aspect in what concerns young collectors?

Bouziane Behillil: I am fortunate to share my life with a talented painter, and she has often opened my eyes to worlds I never knew existed. Now, I let myself be guided by my intuition, combined with my knowledge and experience.

WIN Gallery: What is the art piece that you love the most from the ones that comprise your collection? 

Bouziane Behillil: An untitled diptych by T’ang Haywen. I own several original works by this little-known painter, who died in poverty after a long and terrible illness. He left behind an immense body of work which, sadly, like that of Zao Wou-ki, has been the subject of controversy and dispute. I also admire Chou Ting Hsu, another great Chinese artist, while placing my bets on a major Romanian rising star, Ioana Raluca Zamfir, who is talented and will find her path in the tradition of the inspiring abstract masters.