Matthew McLendon, PhD
American, born 1977
Person TypePerson
BiographyMatthew McLendon, received his MA and PhD from the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. While completing his doctoral thesis on the manifestos of the Italian Futurists, Dr. McLendon served as Interim Curator of Adult Learning at Tate Britain. In 2010, he assumed the role of Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida under the aegis of Florida State University. While at The Ringling he oversaw the permanent installation of Joseph’s Coat, the Skyspace by renowned artist James Turrell (a $3 million project). He has also curated numerous exhibitions including R. Luke DuBois—Now, Beyond Bling: Voices of Hip-Hop in Art, Zimoun: Sculpting Sound, and Sanford Biggers: Codex among others. He was responsible for doubling the photography collection and making significant additions of works by living artists to the permanent collection at The Ringling. Dr. McLendon was on faculty at Florida State University where he taught graduate seminars in contemporary art and museum practice, and served adjunct faculty at New College of Florida, the State Honors College. Most recently, Dr. McLendon was appointed Director of The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia.