Pitt's Asian Studies Center Brings The Met to Pittsburgh Moms

PITTSBURGH—If time or money will not allow you to give Mom a trip to New York City this Mother's Day, never fear! Pitt's Asian Studies Center is bringing a slice of "Big Apple" culture to Pittsburgh May 8. James C.Y. Watt, the Brooke Russell Astor Chair of the Department of Asian Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, will give a lecture, "Form and Space in Chinese Art," at the Frick Art Museum, 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze. The free public event begins at 1 p.m.

Watt was born in Hong Kong and educated at Oxford University and the University of Hong Kong. Before coming to the United States, he was curator of the art gallery and chair of the Department of Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 1981, Watt was appointed curator of Asiatic art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He joined the staff of the Department of Asian Art at The Met in 1985.

Watt has published books and catalogues on a number of different Chinese art media, including painting, porcelain, jade, lacquer, and textiles. Watt's latest publication is China: Dawn of a Golden Age, the catalogue of a major exhibition of the same title at The Met (October 2004-January 2005) that traced the development of Chinese art, which was under strong foreign influence, from the 3rd to mid-8th centuries.

The May 8 lecture will discuss Chinese art in general, including painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts. For more information, call 412-648-7371.

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4/28/05/tmw