A first, life-enriching art encounter

My first visit to this amazing place was in the 1990s as a contractor. I worked in the new, yet to be opened, Sainsbury Wing. My job was to weld up and hand finish all the joints in the staircase stainless steel handrails.

At the day’s end my boss said, ‘Come on, I'll show you around the old Gallery’, which was situated just behind a temporary door.  With just one small step, I was in another world. I found myself looking at Constable’s The Hay Wain, Canalettos, Monets. To be honest, I was overwhelmed! At times the hair on the back of my neck stood up, at others, I had a lump in my throat. I felt so lucky, so humble and couldn't quite believe what I was looking at. I will never forget that first impromptu visit.

A few months later I took my wife and children to the National Gallery to see the things I had seen, and whenever we're in London we visit. Thank you for opening my mind, heart and soul to the wonderful world of art. I never stop looking, never stop learning. Thank you for enriching my life!

By Kev Moore