Objects of Greatest Desire: A Curator’s Memoir

Description

“Objects of Greatest Desire” takes readers on a fascinating journey through the art world, from Lomax’s early days as a student to his influential roles at prestigious institutions. The memoir is filled with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and vivid descriptions of the works of art which have defined his career. Why do young people defy their family so often and run awayto follow their own destiny?This is a tale of a young man who risks everything to sharehis new-found enthusiasm for art with the whole world. He abandons hiscomfortable lair in London to train as an intern at Temple Newsam, an eccentricand well-known art museum near Leeds. He learns the hard way, but Fortune is onhis side. But does he peak too early?Returning to Leeds after a few years, he relishes everyopportunity to develop the collections, publish books, curate exhibitions, andacquire spectacular works of art for the museum. And his private life improvesgreatly. A dream job?Yes, but there are always complications. Nothing good evercomes without a little pain. James Lomax takes us on his 40-year adventure, navigatinghis way through the world of art, museums and heritage. Selectively and subjectively,he shows us his encounters with super-size egos, duchesses and cleaning ladies,unconventional characters of every type while always searching for objects ofgreatest desire…