Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Jim Wood

The president and CEO of the Getty Museum of Art and former director of the Art Institute of Chicago, James N. Wood, died suddenly last week. He was only 69.

His passing comes as a shock to all of us who knew and admired him. It was his vision that inspired the construction of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. He also presided over the construction of the Rice Wing directly south of the brand new wing.

He was indeed a man of tremendous talent and vision but even more important I think is the fact that he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. His passing creates a tremendous void in the art community and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family.

Ed Lifson has a tribute on his blog "Hello Beautiful" which includes an interview with Jim conducted recently. It can be found here.

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