LIVING WITH ART
Saatchi Art Collectors Take us Inside their Homes
Meet Nat Pedley
A Doctor Who Uses Art to Transport Him to a Place or Moment
Nat Pedley is a full-fledged collector, although it wasn’t always that way. “Before meeting my wife, I didn’t really have an appreciation for art,” Nat explained. But after many museum dates and days spent scouring local galleries while on vacation, Nat fell in love with buying art. In fact, it was during a long weekend trip to Block Island, that he picked up his very first original artwork: a small acrylic painting by a local artist which—surreptitiously!—depicted the exact beach view he saw from his window at the bed & breakfast each morning.
A primary care physician in Los Angeles, Nat particularly enjoys how art can transport him immediately back to special memories, and he often purchases art to commemorate a favorite trip or important moment. “I love returning from a vacation and buying a work of art that brings to life the scenery or feelings I experienced on that trip, even if no one else but me could connect the art to the destination,” he says. Of course, art beautifies his home too. “Discovering and living with art is like becoming literate—you are exposed to places, people, and beauty previously unknown to you; the world around you is enriched in a way it wasn’t before.” For him having a house filled with art allows for brief escapes from his regular routine—important given his demanding work schedule. “I only have to meditate on a favorite work for a few minutes to re-experience an old memory or that spark I felt when I first laid eyes on the work.”
“Discovering and living with art is like becoming literate—you are exposed to places, people, and beauty previously unknown to you; the world around you is enriched in a way it wasn’t before.”
His favorite work in his collection is one that commemorates the birth of his son. “I saw a Saatchi Art Instagram post featuring a work by Tarini Ahuja, a young artist in India. The painting is abstract, but in my interpretation you can see a dreamlike landscape with the outline of a baby’s face, with a blue background. I had just seen a similar outline of my son’s face on a sonogram, and the work really spoke to me,” he explained. The work now takes pride of place above his son’s crib, so it is the first thing he sees each day and before he goes to bed.
“The sight of an artwork sometimes tickles you in a way that you can’t articulate, but that you just know would enrich your life by being able to see it on a daily basis.”
Nat’s approach to collecting is simple and natural. “I am often inspired by specific life moments to seek out new artwork, but I wait until I find the perfect one to make a move,” he explains. To that end, he never buys simple to fill an empty wall. “After a work is purchased, my wife and I place it in various rooms until we find the space that feels right.” While he doesn’t need to have a space in mind to make a purchase, he absolutely has to connect with the artwork. “The sight of an artwork sometimes tickles you in a way that you can’t articulate, but that you just know would enrich your life by being able to see it on a daily basis,” he says. When he feels that—he goes for it.
“I love the idea of helping an up-and-coming artist from halfway around the globe.”
Saatchi Art has enabled Nat to take his time browsing new artworks, and to always find what he is looking for—even if he doesn’t quite know it when he starts his search. “Saatchi Art provides a great searching tool to find art related to a particular theme, such as a painting related to a recent travel destination,” he explains.
At the same time, he takes advantage of browsing curated collections to explore what’s new in sculptures, abstract art, or any other type of art he is in the mood to look at. But more than that, he loves knowing he is supporting—and connecting with—emerging artists when he buys at Saatchi Art. “I love the idea of helping an up-and-coming artist from halfway around the globe. When I bought the painting by Tarini, I felt this immediate connection to a complete stranger. I wish I could show her how happy I am that she made that painting.”
At the same time, he takes advantage of browsing curated collections to explore what’s new in sculptures, abstract art, or any other type of art he is in the mood to look at. But more than that, he loves knowing he is supporting—and connecting with—emerging artists when he buys at Saatchi Art. “I love the idea of helping an up-and-coming artist from halfway around the globe. When I bought the painting by Tarini, I felt this immediate connection to a complete stranger. I wish I could show her how happy I am that she made that painting.”
“See if there is a work of art that you immediately connect with, and don’t be embarrassed if you can’t explain why exactly the art speaks to you.”
His advice for newbies looking to make their first art purchase? Take your time. Go to an art show like The Other Art Fair and browse without an agenda. Or spend an hour just perusing Saatchi Art. “See if there is a work of art that you immediately connect with, and don’t be embarrassed if you can’t explain why exactly the art speaks to you,” Nat recommends. “If it’s within your budget, buy it, because you won’t regret getting to relive that special connection on a daily basis in the peace of your own home.”
Art Inspired by Nat’s Collection
Like what you see? Our expert curators suggest works inspired by the art displayed in Nat’s home.
