Why did you want to work in Museums?
I always had a huge enthusiasm for art and even as a child visited museums and galleries but never had any thought of becoming an artist. It was a bit of a eureka moment for me when I discovered I could study the History of Art at university and turn this interest into a career.

What's your favourite part of the job?
Meeting artists and finding out about new work.

What's your favourite object?
I really don't have a favourite. The delight of working with this collection is its diversity. I could select Alan Ramsay's portrait of 'Miss Janet Shairp'. Painted in 1750, her open Scottish face has a familiarity which speaks to me across the centuries. The next time I'm asked, I might choose Julian Opie's looped animation of 'Sara Walking' which is displayed on a plasma screen. The figure of Sara is simplified to a pictogram but somehow her walk captures the very essence of her.