4/27/04

CHINESE ART SPECIALIST TO LECTURE AT AUBURN MUSEUM

AUBURN -- James B. Godfrey, former senior vice president and director of Chinese art for Sotheby's, will lecture at Auburn University's Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art on Thursday, April 29.

Godfrey will speak on "The Splendors of Chinese Art" at 7 p.m. in the museum's auditorium. His presentation will be part of the museum's Curator's Choice Lecture Series.

Following Godfrey's lecture, there will be a reception in the museum's Grand Gallery. Although the lecture is free, seating is limited and tickets must be reserved by calling 334/844-1484.

In his lecture, Godfrey will present a slide survey of the history and development of the Chinese artistic tradition. A blend of art history and connoisseurship, the talk will focus on ceramics and will also address JCSM's collection of Himalayan Buddhist bronzes, The Nelson and Joan Cousins Hartman Collection.

"I am excited to have this internationally-known expert address the JCSM audience and speak about The Nelson and Joan Cousins Hartman Collection of Tibetan Bronzes," says Catherine Walsh, JCSM Curator of Exhibitions. "The bronzes are an integral, much-loved part of our permanent collection.

"But the imagery and iconography can be incredibly esoteric. James is so conversant with the objects that the educational experience will be very rewarding."

At Sotheby's, Godfrey was responsible for the organization of international auction sales and the auction of Chinese antiquities and works of art in New York, Hong Kong and London. He valued and appraised works of art and authenticated antiquities.

"I would advise major collectors and museums on their collections," Godfrey said. "Traveling to Asia and Europe five or six times a year, I became familiar with important collections world-wide."

In the early 1970s, Godfrey was director of Chinese art for the appraisal division of Christies International Inc. of New York and London. Throughout his career he has consulted for entities such as the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice and the Kimbell Art Museum.

While visiting JCSM, Godfrey will offer a seminar for AU Students entitled "Careers in the Art World," which will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the JCSM auditorium. He will also conduct a training seminar for JCSM Docents on The Nelson and Joan Cousins Hartman Collection of Tibetan Bronzes.

# # #

apr04:AU-godfrey

CONTACT: Brown, 334/844-1582.