Collector Jean-Marc Bottazzi Advocates for Focused Art Acquisition Over Checklist Approach

Jean-Marc Bottazzi, a Japanese bond trader based in Hong Kong, discusses his art collection philosophy in an interview with The Art Newspaper. He emphasizes that meaningful collecting involves supporting artists deeply rather than acquiring works superficially. Bottazzi, who grew up in a modest setting near Lyon, France, was inspired by his brother, painter Guillaume Bottazzi, and now owns approximately 1,000 pieces. His collection features abstraction and conceptual photography from Western Europe, the United States, and East Asia, including works by Abstract Expressionist Robert Motherwell and French post-war artist Simon Hantaï. He also collects Japanese avant-garde artists like Kazuo Shiraga from the Gutai movement and earlier experimental figure Ei-Q. Bottazzi highlights his commitment to Japanese artist Ay-o, a 96-year-old Fluxus-influenced creator, by lending extensively to a recent solo show at M+ in Hong Kong, where he serves as a donor and committee member. He is adding more Ay-o works to his holdings of over 100. In the interview, Bottazzi shares his first purchase was an abstract painting by his brother in the early 1990s, and recent acquisitions include pieces by Lucio Fontana and Man Ray. He regrets missing opportunities to buy a Man Ray photograph and an image of Yukio Mishima by Eikoh Hosoe. His ideal museum acquisition would be Marcel Duchamp's urinal. Advice from collector Uli Sigg on focus and commitment guides him. Bottazzi criticizes art fair hype, preferring quieter visits, and recommends M+ museum in Hong Kong for its cultural dialogue between East and West.