Over the course of 30 years, television executive, philanthropist, and Los Angeles-based collector Blake Byrne assembled a spirited collection that reflected his passion for contemporary art and his unique, often daring sensibility. Throughout that time, he acquired important works by Félix González-Torres, Robert Mapplethorpe, Henry Taylor, Ai Weiwei, Marlene Dumas, Rita McBride, Jim Shaw, and many others. 

A life trustee at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, Byrne gifted 123 works to the museum in 2005, the largest private donation to the institution at the time. Now, John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles County is offering works from his esteemed collection across two successive sales on June 9: its Post War & Contemporary Art + Design event, which will feature 80 contemporary works; and the Prints & Multiples sale that will follow. 

“Byrne prided himself on purchasing art that moved him emotionally and addressed universal themes such as identity, sexuality, memory, and culture. He considered himself a steward of these remarkable, sometimes confrontational objects, and championed conversation across mediums, eras, and genres,” the auction house said in a statement.

These auctions offer the unique opportunity to become a part of an esteemed collecting legacy. Below, we’ve picked five works from across both sales you won’t want to miss—along with two more that we like.

Sudarshan Shetty
Untitled (2007)
Post-War & Contemporary Art + Design
Estimate: $20,000–30,000.

Sudarshan Shetty, Untitled (2007). Courtesy of John Moran.

Serban Savu
Inner Life (2010)
Post-War & Contemporary Art + Design
Estimate: $20,000–30,000.

Serban Savu, Inner Life (2010). Courtesy of John Moran.

Rita McBride
Parking Structure Interior (1997)
Prints & Multiples
Estimate: $7,000–9,000.

Rita McBride, Parking Structure Interior (1997). Courtesy of John Moran.

Ai Weiwei
Swatter (2007)
Prints & Multiples
Estimate: $12,000–18,000.

Ai Weiwei, Swatter (2007). Courtesy of John Moran.

Mona Hatoum
Medal Of Dishonour (2008)
Prints & Multiples
Estimate: $15,000–20,000.

Mona Hatoum, Medal Of Dishonour (2008). Courtesy of John Moran.

Also Available

Edward Ruscha
Made In California (1971)
Print & Multiples
Estimate: $50,000–70,000 

Edward Ruscha, Made In California (1971). Courtesy of John Moran.

Joan Miro
Trace Sur La Paroi III
Prints & Multiples
Estimate: $8,000–12,000

Joan Miro, Trace Sur La Paroi III. Courtesy of John Moran.