Collection-Based Art Investment

Invest in an artist's
body of work.

The art world wasn't built for artists — or for you.

Gallery commissions are 50%. Emerging talent goes unfunded. And the best investment opportunities never reach most people.

Desire Art Capital changes the model.

Invest in a curated collection. Share in the returns as works sell. The artist wins. So do you.

The Ecosystem
Desire Art
Capital
ecosystem
Artists
Found
curated talent
Investors
Connected
shared stake
Community
Built
lasting bonds
Returns
Driven
aligned value

Click any node to learn more

Participate in the value of an artist's body of work

First, investors who believe in an artist and the Desire community acquire a percentage share of that artist's curated collection — typically 6–8 cohesive works presented on the platform alongside the artist's broader practice.

Second, Desire works alongside the artist to develop their market — through exhibitions, collector introductions, press placements, and gallery relationships — building long-term value for everyone in the ecosystem.

Third, as works sell over time, revenue is distributed proportionally. The investor receives their share of proceeds, the artist retains the majority, and Desire participates through its platform stake — no forced exits, no speculation.

Finally, investors are recognized as patrons of the artist's work — invited to exhibitions, studio visits, and events, and acknowledged in press and programming throughout the collection's life.

Artist — 70%

The artist retains majority ownership of their collection and full ownership of all work outside it.

Investor — ~20%

Investors acquire a percentage share of the collection, receiving proportional proceeds as works sell.

Desire — 10%

Desire holds a platform stake for facilitating market strategy, sales infrastructure, and positioning.

Aligned Incentives

All three parties benefit from the long-term development of the artist's market — no conflicting pressures.

Desire Art Capital

Collection-based investment. Investors acquire a percentage share of a curated artist collection and receive proportional proceeds as works sell over time.

Desire Art Foundation

Supports emerging and mid-career artists through stipends, exhibitions, and cultural programming. Funded by the Patron Circle ($10K/year).

Visit the Foundation ↗

From artist selection to revenue distribution

Artist Selected

Curated for market readiness and collection potential

Collection Defined

6–8 cohesive works presented on the platform

Investor Acquires Share

Percentage stake agreed — e.g. 20% of the collection

Market Development

Exhibitions, collector introductions, press, placement

Works Sell Over Time

Through galleries, collectors, and secondary market

Revenue Distributed

Proportionally — artist 70%, investor ~20%, Desire 10%

Current & Available Collections

🌿
Painting · New York
Maya Osei-Bonsu

Large-scale figurative works exploring memory, migration, and the African diaspora. Consistent auction presence since 2021.

$4,200 Avg. Sale
8 Works Planned
Open
🔷
Sculpture · Los Angeles
Lucas Ferreira

Mixed-media sculptures merging industrial materials with organic form. Gallery representation at two Los Angeles institutions.

$6,800 Avg. Sale
6 Works Planned
Funded
🌙
Photography · Chicago
Sana Mirza

Archival inkjet prints examining urban liminality and belonging. Recent features in Aperture and The New Yorker.

$2,900 Avg. Sale
10 Works Planned
Open
🌱
Textiles · Atlanta
Theo Adeyemi

Woven textile works fusing West African pattern traditions with contemporary abstraction. Growing institutional interest.

$3,400 Avg. Sale
7 Works Planned
Open
Works on Paper · Miami
Claire Johansson

Intimate, large-format works on paper investigating psychological interiority through mark-making and erasure.

$1,800 Avg. Sale
9 Works Planned
Sold
Video & Installation · New York
Riku Tanaka

Multi-channel video installations exploring time, grief, and digital intimacy. MFA Whitney Program, 2020.

$5,100 Avg. Sale
6 Works Planned
Funded

Acquire a share of an artist's
curated collection.

Choose an artist you believe in and acquire a percentage share of their collection — typically 6–8 works. As those works sell through exhibitions, galleries, and collectors, you receive your proportional share of the proceeds.

How the Investment Works

Percentage ownership of a defined collection — for example, 20% of 6–8 works.
Artist retains 70% majority ownership. Desire holds 10% as the platform facilitating strategy and sales.
Revenue distributed as works sell — proportionally, over time, through exhibitions, collectors, and galleries.
No forced exits. Works sell when the time is right — no artificial timelines or pressure-driven decisions.
Recognized as a patron of the work — acknowledged in press, invited to exhibitions and programming.
Desire develops the market — exhibitions, collector introductions, press, and strategic placement on your behalf.

Express Interest

Complete this form and a member of the Desire Art Capital team will be in touch within 3–5 business days.

Book an Inquiry
Session with Rachel

Schedule a private 30-minute conversation to learn more about Desire Art Capital, explore current opportunities, and determine if this investment model is right for you.

Request a Session

Submit your preferred times and we'll confirm within 24 hours.

Apply to Work
with Desire Art Capital

We work exclusively with established artists who have demonstrated market readiness. If you meet our eligibility criteria, we'd like to hear from you.

Eligibility Requirements

This is a market readiness gate, not a development program. Artists must meet all of the following criteria.

Documented sales with a minimum price point of $1,500 per work and verified transaction history.
Pricing consistency demonstrated at or near the minimum threshold across multiple sales.
Active studio practice with the capacity to complete a cohesive collection.
Collection capacity — ability to produce 6–10 works as a defined, cohesive body of work.
Professional documentation including high-quality photography and provenance records.

Artist Application

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We respond to every submission within 2 weeks.

Investor Portal

Welcome back, James.

Member since January 2025 · 1 active collection

$7,000 Total Invested
20% Ownership Share
$4,200 Est. Current Value
+60% Collection Growth
Your Collection
🌿

Maya Osei-Bonsu

Painting · New York · Collection: "Crossing Waters"
Active 8 Works
Collection sold 2 of 8 works
🌿SOLD
🍃SOLD
🌊
🌿
🍂
🌱
🌿
🍃

2 works sold · $8,400 total proceeds · Your share: $1,680

Upcoming Events
12
Opening: Crossing Waters
Apr · Hauser & Wirth, NY · You're invited
03
Collector Introduction Evening
May · Private · Invitation only
18
Artist Studio Visit
Jun · Brooklyn · Small group
From the Desire Team

"Crossing Waters" opened to strong collector response. A second work sold at the opening preview — we'll have a full update to you by end of week."

Rachel Giadolor · Apr 14, 2025
About Maya Osei-Bonsu

Maya Osei-Bonsu works in large-scale oil and encaustic, building layered figurative compositions that navigate the intersections of memory, displacement, and African diasporic identity. Her work has been exhibited at the Studio Museum in Harlem and is held in several private collections.

Represented by: Gallery X, New York
MFA, Yale School of Art, 2018

Artist in the Press
"New Voices in Diaspora Painting"
Artforum · March 2025
"10 Artists to Watch in 2025"
W Magazine · January 2025
"Memory as Medium"
The Brooklyn Rail · November 2024
Artist Upcoming Shows
"Crossing Waters" — Solo
Hauser & Wirth, NY · Apr–Jun 2025
Group: New Acquisitions
Studio Museum Harlem · Sep 2025
Art Basel Miami Beach
December 2025 · With Gallery X
Artist Portal

Welcome back, Maya.

Desire Art Capital · Collection: "Crossing Waters" · Active

Your Artist Profile
🌿
Maya Osei-Bonsu
Painting · New York

Maya Osei-Bonsu works in large-scale oil and encaustic, building layered figurative compositions that navigate the intersections of memory, displacement, and African diasporic identity. Her work has been exhibited at the Studio Museum in Harlem and is held in several private collections.

Website
mayaob.com
Medium
Oil · Encaustic

ℹ️ Your profile is automatically populated from your application. Edit to update what collectors and investors see.

Collection Status
"Crossing Waters"
8 works · 2 sold · 6 remaining
$8,400
Sold
70%
Your share
$5,880
Earned
Upcoming Shows
"Crossing Waters" — Solo Opening
Apr 12 · Hauser & Wirth, New York
Group: New Acquisitions
Sep · Studio Museum Harlem
Art Basel Miami Beach
Dec · With Gallery X
Press Mentions
"New Voices in Diaspora Painting"
Artforum · March 2025
"10 Artists to Watch in 2025"
W Magazine · January 2025
"Memory as Medium"
The Brooklyn Rail · November 2024
Portfolio Works
🌿
🍃
🌊
🌿
🍂
🌱
+
+

6 works uploaded · 2 slots remaining

Messages from the Desire Team

"Maya — two works sold at the opening preview. Collector interest is strong. We're scheduling a second private viewing for May. Can you confirm availability for the studio visit on Jun 18?"

Rachel Giadolor · Apr 14, 2025

"Artforum piece going live March 12. We've shared the link with your investor. W Magazine feature confirmed for January issue — please send the high-res image files by Dec 1."

Desire Art Capital · Nov 28, 2024

Get in Touch

Tell us how we can help and we'll respond within 2 business days.

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Artist Application

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