While
John Lennons musical legacy is appreciated throughout the world, his artistic genius
was far broader than most people could imagine.John Lennon studied art for three years
at the Liverpool Art School, planning to be a commercial artist before forming the
greatest rock and roll band of all time - The Beatles. The rest, as they say, is history.
Over 100 of John's whimsical sketches and handwritten song manuscripts are on
exhibition, and available for sale, at the exhibition Imagine. With the cooperation
of Lennons widow Yoko Ono, the collection has toured throughout the US, Japan,
Europe and South East Asia during the past fifteen years.
The works have been personally selected by Yoko Ono from her extensive collection of
Johns original drawings, and are individually numbered and signed in pencil by her.
Published as limited edition fine art prints by Bag One Arts, the publishing arm of the
Lennon estate, the works reveal an intense relationship with Yoko Ono and son Sean, plus a
real sense of harmony with the world around him
John's messages in the drawings about love and human communication echo those in his
famous songs and are as relevent today as they were when drawn over 20 years ago.
Some of the prints have the simple beauty and style of Matisse or Picasso, while others
have the texture of classic Chinese and Japanese landscapes.
Also on display are the hand written song manuscripts to twenty one of Johns most
famous songs including Imagine, In My Life, Nowhere Man Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Woman and Beautiful Boy. Limited to only 1000 for sale worldwide, the lyrics are
compelling and intensely personal reminders of Lennons contribution to twentieth
century culture.
email: maureenmccarthy@ozemail.com.au