Yoko Ono on John Lennon and his art
The name Yoko Ono means different things to different people: To some, she’s one of the foundational members of the Fluxus art movement, which helped inflect early conceptual art of the 1960s with a performance flair; to others — let’s be fair, most others — she’s the fifth column that drove a wedge into the most beloved rock band of all time.
The former is true, the latter likely not fair but, by whatever means, she remains one of the most famous people in the world and the keeper of the flame for her late husband, John Lennon.
Whether his music or his drawing, Ono continues to steward his creative output worldwide to an audience that never seems to tire of the former Beatle, Toronto included. Until March 15, a selection of Lennon’s drawings are on view at Liss Gallery, 140 Yorkville Ave. Ono responded briefly to some email questions on the occasion.
John was of course one of the best-known songwriters of all time. How did he view his practice as an artist in relation to his much more high profile role?
He took it just as seriously as he did music, and with the same fun and enjoyment he got from creating music. He shows his genuine him — no pretension. Let it all out.
By: Murray Whyte
Source: The Toronto Star
