Winter 2016

Winter 48 www.afamag.com | w ww.incollect.com Betsy Nathan, Founder of Pagoda Red InCollect: How did you get involved with this industry and learn about the material? Betsy Nathan: While I was living in Beijing, I met some seasoned and influential Chinese furniture dealers. One, in particular, took me under his wing; I’ve learned from and worked closely with him now for twenty years. Through his networks I’ve been able to look at a tremendous amount of wonderful material, spending years developing and training my eye. I made lots of mistakes early on because the material can be tricky, but that was a great way to learn! InCollect: What informs your approach when acquiring Asian material? BN: I approach the materials differently than most classical Chinese furniture dealers, many of whom are primarily interested in specific woods since this often determines the furniture’s value. Though I have a deep appreciation for and collect some of these hardwood pieces, I have an appreciation for folk forms that have long been passed over by other collectors. I’ve had a great time collecting outside of traditional spheres. My mother is a contemporary art dealer and a collector of African art and folk art. That’s the stuff I grew up around so I have a different approach to this material than most people. I buy what I love—things that seem to be created by people who think differently than others, as opposed to designers and carpenters who follow very traditional forms. Once you let loose from that mindset you can have a lot of fun. It’s a pleasure for me to explore deviations from those traditional paths. InCollect: What do you enjoy most about this field? BN: I truly love my things. They have never tired. They’re timeless. I have made incredible relationships with very talented people in China and with designers and collectors all over the world. It has truly opened up the world for me. People come to us from all over. It was shocking when we started shipping works back to China and Asia, which started about six years ago, as the demand for Asian O nce you step inside Pagoda Red , it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of Chicago’s industrial West Town neighborhood. The spacious gallery, which includes a magnificent outdoor garden decorated with commanding stone sculpture and vessels, is brimming with exquisitely crafted Asian antiques, modern design, and fine art that spans centuries. Founded by Betsy Nathan, Pagoda Red is a favorite among collectors and interior designers thanks to its one-of-a-kind inventory. This skillfully assembled collection is the handiwork of Nathan, who established her first showroom in Chicago in 1997. The daughter of a well-known Chicago gallerist, Nathan grew up surrounded by an eclectic mix of folk and fine art, contemporary paintings, and handcrafted furniture. This unique environment played a pivotal role in shaping Nathan’s aesthetic as well as her taste for honest forms and finely crafted pieces. In the early 1990s, Nathan moved to Beijing to study Mandarin, ultimately falling in with a group of legendary Chinese furniture experts who became her mentors—an experience that would set her remarkable career in motion. We caught up with Betsy to discuss what she loves most about her field, her advice for collectors, and much more. dealer focus A gallery vignette at Pagoda Red. Betsy Nathan. The garden at Pagoda Red. continued on page 50