The first time I ever bought art paintings was back in 2011, when I lived and worked in Ethiopia - it was love at first sight. I actually bought two pieces at the time, with the intention of keeping them as gifts for my son Frank, who was deeply creative and loved art with a passion. For a long time the two paintings were leaning against the wall in a spare bedroom, waiting for the day they would be given to him. When I try to reconstruct the exact point at which I decided to become a collector of art, I believe it is in that time and space of trying to heal my soul and spirit, after losing Frank in 2013, in a tragic traffic accident at the age of 24. My love of art grew because it reminded me as well as honoured the memory of Frank’s love of art, and those two paintings I bought for him have become my most prized possessions. I collect art that is beautiful to me as the observer, and every piece of art I have bought, I collected because it moves my spirit, and is in my collection because I personally find it beautiful. Throughout my travels on the African continent, I have been privileged to procure unique pieces, and to see the incredible artistic talent that Africa has to offer to the world – with aesthetic, cultural and market value. The journey continues, and I look forward to continued expansion of Boniso Art Gallery’s pan African collection.