Interview

Regards croisés – Ceysson & Bénétière: The international ambition of a French gallery

In this new episode of our Business: Regards croisés series, we meet Loïc Bénétière, partner and founder of Ceysson & Bénétière Art Gallery. Founded in Saint-Étienne, the gallery celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year and continues to follow a distinctive path: that of a major player in contemporary art, now present in France, across Europe, in the United States, and more recently in Japan, with the opening of a new space in Tokyo.

“Having artworks is not so difficult. But once they are there, they profoundly change your life: they bring you an added dimension of soul.”

The gallery’s origins and an international vision

Founded in 2006 in Saint-Étienne, Galerie Ceysson & Bénétière rapidly expanded internationally, establishing locations in Europe, the United States, and most recently Tokyo. Championing abstraction and the French avant-garde of the 1970s while also representing major American artists, the gallery has brought to life a long-standing ambition in Tokyo: establishing a presence in Asia.
This opening was made possible in particular thanks to Leslie You, an art specialist and now Director of the Tokyo gallery.

In a profession where recognition is built over time, the opening nonetheless received strong international media attention, and the gallery now welcomes an average of around thirty visitors per day.

A gallery conceived as an ideal space for works between luxury and history

Designed as an ideal gallery space, the Tokyo location is the result of a significant investment, carried out within the Japanese context of strict regulations, high costs, and tightly structured timelines. Conceived as an exceptional venue, it aims to provide a setting worthy of the artists exhibited and to establish a lasting presence within Tokyo’s cultural landscape.

Positioned at the intersection of art and luxury, the gallery presents internationally renowned artists and addresses discerning collectors with a deep sensitivity to art history. Ceysson & Bénétière thus attracts an audience in search of singular works, while maintaining an approach firmly rooted in a demanding and coherent reading of art.

Building a sustainable artistic dialogue in Tokyo

The relationship to art differs significantly across cultures. In Japan, very large-scale works, common in Europe, are less frequent, and relationships with collectors tend to unfold over time, grounded in explanation, contextualization, and the gradual construction of trust. This slower process requires pedagogy and consistency, but it also fosters a deeper dialogue, notes Loïc Bénétière.

In this spirit, the gallery pursues a dual ambition: introducing French and American artists to Japanese audiences, while also identifying and supporting Japanese artists to later exhibit them on the European scene. While Japanese art already enjoys strong recognition in Europe, and many French artists maintain historical ties with Japanese movements of the 1970s, the gallery’s image can sometimes appear intimidating. To overcome this perception, Ceysson & Bénétière has developed off-site formats, collaborating on pop-up exhibitions and alternative venues to make art more accessible. In Tokyo, this dynamic is led by Leslie You, whose on-the-ground work with collectors strengthens the project’s local roots.

Web site