Take a tour of private contemporary art collection Galila’s P.O.C

The private contemporary art collection of Galila Barzilaï opened its doors in Brussels in October 2020 - a surprising new temple to art located a stone's throw from the WIELS contemporary art centre.

Since then, the public has had the opportunity to discover Galila’s P.O.C, a collection organised around a multitude of heterogeneous themes and presented in the form of a cabinet of curiosities.

Galila, the passionate lady of the house, guides the visitors through her phantasmagoric world will be guiding the next public tour on 4 June.  She also engages with the local community via an educational project in two neighbouring buildings.

An exceptional collection

Since starting collecting some 15 years ago, it has been a dazzling, authentic and cathartic experience for Galila. She seeks out new artists, delves into their worlds and sometimes commissions biographical works. She has entrusted personal objects for artistic interpretation to Chiharu Shiota, Alice Anderson, Jonathan Callan, Marion Chopineau, Ram Katzir…

More than a collector, Galila is in her own words an “artoholic”. Opening her collection to the public has only intensified the collecting experience. The words Passion, Obsession, Collection have guided her throughout the project, which is why it had to be called Galila’s P.O.C.

The spirit

An atypical place in the Belgian artistic landscape - and even international - Galila's P.O.C is designed as a gigantic cabinet of curiosities. It brings together an impressive array of artists from all over the world. A few big names, but above all many emerging talents, all supported by Galila.

“Art doesn't have to be about price or prestige, it has to be felt. This is what P.O.C offers and I am delighted to share this vision with the public," she says.

Overdose

Far from holding itself back, the inaugural exhibition presents an abundant accumulation of around 450 artworks, from some of the 20 emblematic themes of the collection. From recycling to watermelon, from the eye to cigarettes, including chairs and religions... Unexpected themes come together and challenge the visitors’ interpretation.

A generous architectural setting

Architect Bruno Corbisier was entrusted with the renovation of the 1950s industrial building that houses the permanent collection.

Two other buildings, located on the same street, complete the ensemble. One will host temporary exhibitions, business seminars and creative workshops for children. The other will host an archives and documentation center as well as an extraordinary collection of artists' chairs. Collaborations with neighborhood schools, universities and art schools in Belgium are already in place.

Opening times and guided tours

The collection is open only by reservation for pre-constituted groups and a monthly public visit. The upcoming public visit on 4 June, 2022 is a special visit guided by the collector herself.

Public visits are by reservation only via the website. Enquiries for group reservation: hello@galilaspoc.com