During my time in New York I was interested in what was going on in the arts culture — music, galleries, auction houses — that's where I learned as much as I did about art history. It was the vortex of the art world and a fabulous place to get up to speed and develop one's eye.

The End of the World series struck me over the head.

What I found was that they were not about to send productive associates in mergers and acquisitions to far-off places, but instead work them day-in and day-out, regardless of where I wanted to go.