Johan Brink & Friends Gallery in the quaint village of Storms River in the Tsitsikamma region of the Garden Route in South Africa first opened its doors in 2012 as Art–for–All Gallery.

The philosophy was, and still is, that art should be accessible to everyone. It should be able to relate to all and should offer something for each and everyone to appreciate and love. Art should never pretend to be something beyond the grasp of people, something only understood by a small number of aficionados or investors who are only interested in ‘important’ art by “important” artists that will deliver a handsome financial return regardless of what it is or isn’t.

In my opinion the true value of art lies literally, in the eye of the beholder. That special something that stops you in your tracks in a gallery. That comes up in your dreams and stays with you until you return and purchase it. And then it continues to pay dividends by still stopping you in your tracks and brightening every day that it adorns your walls. And those of your children and their children. That is an investment in the future and not in some financial institution.

I decided to re-name my gallery Johan Brink & Friends Gallery because the artists who display here are all my friends (and I hope that I’m theirs.). And that is what we want to be. Not only each other’s friends but also friends with those who wander into the gallery and take a while to relax and browse. I want us to be a happy little gallery.

We hope to see you soon in the lovely little village of Storms River.