NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Daniel A. Siedell, art historian, curator and author of God in the Gallery: A Christian Embrace of Modern Art, will bring his extensive experience to The King's College in New York City as Presidential Scholar and Art Historian in Residence.
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"Dan Siedell is one of the preeminent voices, if not the most preeminent, in the field of art history and art criticism in Christian circles today. His scholarship is respected across the academy as a writer and speaker, and his book God in the Gallery has received widespread praise," said College President Gregory Alan Thornbury.
"As a Presidential Scholar at The King's College, Dan will come alongside our distinguished faculty to foster theologically informed conversations about the importance of art in contemporary culture."
The appointment adds to Dr. Siedell's already notable list of positions as a Scholar-in-Residence at the New City Arts Initiative in Charlottesville, VA and as curator of LIBERATE, the teaching ministry of Tullian Tchividjian and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Siedell has served as a Professor of Modern & Contemporary Art History, Theory, & Criticism at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and as the Chief Curator at the Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Siedell earned his doctorate in Art History from the University of Iowa and his Master of Arts in Art History, Theory, and Criticism from Stony Brook University.
"I want to help King's students experience the art world from the perspective of someone who has devoted his life to it," Siedell said. "The appointment provides me the opportunity to pursue my work on modern and contemporary art in conversation with theology as well as to deepen the church's understanding of the history of art as an important cultural practice with significant theological implications."
In addition to research and writing, Siedell will develop the integration of art history into the College's broader Politics, Philosophy, & Economics core curriculum and programs for graduate and seminary students and junior faculty around the country. In the spring, Siedell will teach a course on a framework for interpreting art from a Christian perspective and a practicum that will take advantage of the College's location in the art capital of the world.
Harry Bleattler, Program Chair, said, "Bringing Dr. Siedell to King's greatly enhances our program in Media, Culture, and the Arts. His expertise in art history and criticism, under-girded by a strong theological foundation, will prepare students to interact with and contribute to the world of cultural criticism and of modern and contemporary art."
Makoto Fujimura, artist and founder of the International Arts Movement, said, "Daniel Siedell is not only one of the best critics and interpreters of culture today, but one of the leading thinkers toward integration of art, faith, and culture. I am delighted to hear of his new appointment at The King's College as it signals King's commitment to arts and culture, and to developing leading thinkers for the 21st Century."
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