Leon Benrimon recently joined Heritage Auctions to launch a Contemporary art department with sales in New York. The first sale has been announced for Oct. 28th with

works by Robert Motherwell, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Tom Wesselman, among others; as well as a collection of five works from a Distinguished New York Collection featuring works by Richard Diebenkorn, Robert Graham, Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline and Bob Thompson.

Sculpted from a single slab of marble, a replica of surveillance cameras positioned outside his home, Surveillance Camera, 2010, is a statement on the seemingly permanent surveillance state that has taken root in the bedrock of even the most democratic of governments, let alone the artist’s native Communist China. With a presale estimate of $400,000 – $600,000 USD, collectors of Weiwei’s works and the scarcity for his prized works could push the work above its presale estimates.

The inaugural New York Modern and Contemporary Art auction, symbolically titled Part I: New York, includes Robert Motherwell’s important Untitled (Ochre with Black Line), 1972-73/1974 (est. $800,000-$1,200,000 USD). An exemplary example from the celebrated Open series, the work comes from an important private collection which acquired the work the same year it was painted and has not been to market since.

A Sinister Figure Lurks in the Shadows, 1962, a recently re-discovered work, by Mel Ramos, was acquired directly from the artist in the 1960s (est. $80,000-$120,000 USD). The consignor, Bill Steinfelt has held onto the painting ever since. Mr. Steinfelt wasn’t aware of the tremendous value of his trade until earlier this year.

The highly exhibited Van Vleck Series VI, 1978 by Robert Rauschenberg (est. $120,000-$180,000 USD) will be on offer, as will several important unique editions by Andy Warhol, including $ (Quadrant), 1982, a fantastic combination of colors (est. $80,000-$120,000 USD).