1. NAMED
2009 PLAYER
AUGUST 2009
The lord of The arTs
Ed Nash
A
ll the stars in the sky must have aligned for the birth of Ed Nash. It next few years, people are looking to invest in hard assets. Art, like real estate,
seems that every single interest, talent, opportunity and experience can be a means of beating inflation.” Ed adds,“Despite being something
throughout his entire life was leading to where he is today. He was we can enjoy everyday, fine art can also be a solid means of diversification.
born and raised in London (where at age 13, he was a awarded an Historically the art market has always done favorably in times of recession,
art scholarship to Bedford Boys School in Bedfordshire, England.), depression and war.”
but through some miracle of fate, he has landed here in Nashville, where he After asking Ed to share an exciting, recent acquisition, we see him in his
founded Oxford Fine Arts—a company that helps people build art collections. role of personal shopper and friend. Ed says,“Last year I went to a small estate
He plays a variety of roles for the people who hire him. From teacher, sale and the auctioneer held up an old painting that was torn, tattered and
investment adviser, economist, personal shopper and friend, there’s showed no artist signature—it looked like it had been in someone’s
a great deal that Ed’s clients can learn from him. basement for years. I took a chance and bought the paint-
On teaching, he says,“I think the most important ing. Once I got it home I started double checking for
thing is for me to have the heart of a teacher. The signature with my fingers crossed. I took it out
first step in my process is to help people under- of the frame and “bingo!”Along the stretcher
stand what fine art it is; how to determine value; behind the frame it was signed! I took
and, why some art appreciates in value and the painting to New York for restora-
some art does not.” tion and cleaning. The canvas was
Next, he’s something of an investment moved over to reveal the signa-
adviser: “The secret is to accept the fact ture. I had bought the painting
that over a lifetime of decorating and for a minimal amount, invested
finishing our homes, most of us spend several thousand restoring it.
an amount of money on decorative art I then offered it to one of my
(which seldom if ever appreciates in collector clients for a reason-
value) equal to an amount capable of able price. He now loves
acquiring a select group of museum the painting and it recently
quality pieces. The media stories about appraised for $18,000. My col-
paintings that sell for record sums of lector client is very pleased.”
money often cause people to think Well, we should think so!
that collecting museum quality art Ed purchases most of his
is reserved for only the Buffetts and art from museums, private
Gates of this world. The truth is that collections and estates, but he
58 anyone of ordinary means armed
with both the knowledge of how to
recognize value in art plus a little
has three pieces of advice that
everyone should consider when
buying art:“Buy art only that
patience can accumulate a very fine you love and understand. Second,
collection to be enjoyed now and listen to Warren Buffett who says,
for generations to come.” ‘Find a dealer you can have a rela-
Now, here he is in his economist tionship with and who is focused on
role on why art is a good investment: educating you.’ And, don’t buy art on a
“Hedge against inflation and diversifica- cruise or vacation!”
tion. During inflationary periods, which
we are no doubt going to expe-
rience in the