Catalyst Art Investments is a principal investment company specializing in art, collections and luxury assets. Investing in both companies and assets, we are building an art ecosystem that brings greater liquidity to the art market.
Japan’s art market is small relative to the size of its economy, at roughly 1% of the global market. Yet many works remain in Japanese hands: modern art bought overseas during the late-1980s bubble, and modern Japanese art. Inheritance and business succession are now bringing them to market.
We work on two fronts. We take part in managing a listed auction house, and we acquire and bring liquidity to high-quality art assets. Through both, we connect these works, and undervalued Japanese art, with collectors around the world.
Message from the CEOOur Strategic Equity Investments bring art-related companies into the group. The whole group then supports our Art Asset Acquisition & Liquidity business, from sourcing to exit.
We invest in companies in the art, collectibles and luxury sectors and take part in their management as a major shareholder and board member. We raise their value by bringing them into the group and driving value-up.
We acquire high-quality artworks and collections and return them to markets in Japan and overseas, realizing the value of art assets that would otherwise stay locked away.
Our group is built around Shinwa Wise Holdings, a listed auction house. Group companies handle sourcing, distribution and exit, and their track record and client base add to the value of the whole group.
Founded in 1989, Shinwa has led art distribution in Japan through transparent public auctions. It is the holding company of a group that includes Shinwa Auction (modern art, ceramics, contemporary art, jewelry and more) and iART auction.
We source works mainly in Japan, distribute and add value to them through the group’s platform, and connect them with markets and collectors in the UAE, Hong Kong and across Asia.