Sotheby’s New York to present works from Joni and Monte Gordon Collection

KOLKATA: On 24 September 2014 Sotheby’s New York will present Good To Go: Property From The Collection Of Joni Gordon Of Newspace Gallery as a single-owner sale of works from the Joni and Monte Gordon Collection coinciding with the autumn Contemporary Curated auction. Joni Gordon (1937-2012) was a prominent figure in the development of the Los Angeles art scene hosting important artist’s 'salons' and fostering numerous artists’ careers via her famed Newspace Gallery which she ran from 1975-2006.

The sale of her and her husband’s personal collection will be led by the most important group of works by Vija Celmins to ever come to auction including her seminal painting Burning Plane from 1965: the only painting from this iconic series remaining in private hands. Mr and Mrs Gordon’s private collection also includes early and important examples from other California artists such as John Baldessari, John Mclaughlin, and Joe Goode as well as significant examples by Post-War artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Motherwell, and Ad Reinhardt. Highlights from the collection will be on public exhibition in Sotheby’s Los Angeles galleries from 9th–11th September before the New York view from 20th September.

Andrea Fiuczynski, Sotheby’s chairman, West Coast commented: "Joni Gordon was an iconic figure in the long and rich history of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. We are pleased to present this collection as a celebration of both her legacy and distinctive conceptual aesthetic, and to showcase highlights in her hometown in September."

Scott Nussbaum, Sotheby’s, vice president, Contemporary Art added: "In addition to being instrumental to the development of the Los Angeles art scene, Joni Gordon used her brilliant vision and personal friendships with artists to build a formidable personal collection. Nowhere is this more evident than with the exceptionally rare works by Vija Celmins which can be considered amongst the most important of the acclaimed artist’s career. We are honored that the Gordon family has entrusted Sotheby’s to bring Joni’s exceptional collection to auction this September."