Gallery Talk by Director Kent Lydecker on Images of the Floating World and Beyond: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Dr. Lydecker’s knowledge of art and cultural history and his talent as an educator always emerge in his gallery talks.  During his tenure at the MFA, he has initiated and supervised the renovation and transformation of the galleries and the Marly Room in the original building, and, with the curatorial department, led the reinstallation of the collection.  He has collaborated with other arts and community organizations to a remarkable degree.  In 2014, with the Tampa Museum of Art, he brought My Generation: Young Chinese Artists to the area.  This expanded exhibition at two venues – a first for both museums – introduced the public to the latest artistic experimentation in China.

Before coming to the MFA, Dr. Lydecker was the Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Associate Director for Education of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  He held a similar post at the Art Institute of Chicago, having begun his career at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  He holds his BA in history magna cum laude from Rice University, his MA in art history from Cornell University, and his PhD, also in art history, from The Johns Hopkins University.