NEW YORK, NY.- On 24 September 2014, Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Department will hold its tri-annual Contemporary Curated auction, the editorialized version of the mid-season sales of Contemporary Art. Four tastemakers from the world of business, fashion, and curating have selected the works that inspire them most, and shared why. Their selections span a range of genres and price points, from Abstract Expressionism and Pop to minimalism and innovative Contemporary Art. Property from Ahead of the Curve: The Sender Collection will be offered once again, headlined by works from Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, and Wangechi Mutu. Also featured in the sale are important Post-War works by Salvatore Scarpitta, Alexander Calder, and Larry Rivers as well as stand-out lots by cutting-edge Contemporary artists like Sterling Ruby, Nick Darmstaedter, and KAWS. The exhibition in New York opens Friday, 19th September and continues through Tuesday 23rd September.

Coinciding with the Contemporary Curated sale, Sotheby’s 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 on 24th September.

THE CURATORS
Claire Distenfeld is the co-founder of Fivestory, a luxe Upper East Side boutique showcasing an eclectic mix of designer-wear, jewelry, and home décor. Launched in 2012 with her father, Fred Distenfeld, Fivestory was an instant success, redefining the retail experience and becoming eponymous with creativity, individuality, elegance and whimsy. A graduate of New York University, Distenfeld also holds a Master’s in Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s Institute. Distenfeld has also interned with photographer Sante D’Orazio and worked in an art gallery in Chinatown - one of the first to exhibit artists from The Still House Group.

Blake Byrne, dedicated collector, philanthropist, and retired broadcast executive, has been collecting in earnest since 1988. On the advice of Jack Tilton, a long-time friend, mentor and gallerist in New York, Byrne went to Art Basel that summer and left with his fi rst cutting-edge contemporary purchases, including works by Marlene Dumas, Richard Tuttle, and Mario Merz. From there, he has built a collection that is both expansive and focused, maintaining strong commitments to certain artists. Byrne has been an integral part of the continued growth and development of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and The Nasher Museum at Duke University, his alma mater. In celebration of his 70th birthday in 2005, Blake Byrne made a promised gift of 123 works of art to MoCA—the largest private donation in the history of the museum.

Keith Rivers is currently a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills. He joined the NFL in 2008, playing first for the Cincinnati Bengals and later the New York Giants. At the University of Southern California, Rivers earned All-America honors in 2007 and was drafted ninth overall by the Bengals the following year. As an art collector, Rivers has developed a passion for emerging abstract artists. His collection includes works by Lucien Smith, Joe Bradley, Zak Prekop, Tony Lewis, and Raymond Pettibon.

Ambra Medda is the co-founder and Creative Director of L’ArcoBaleno, an online marketplace devoted to collectible design. Medda is also the co-founder of Design Miami/, the definitive fair for limited edition design, with annual shows in Basel, Switzerland and Miami, USA. Launched in 2005, Medda acted as Director for five years, in which time she positioned the fair as the most substantive forum for collectible design. Raised in Europe, the daughter of a design gallerist, Medda has been immersed in the artistic community from an early age – organizing and curating exhibitions, attending auctions, fairs and gallery openings.