All Images: Copyright © Yoko Ono
“Imagine there’s no hunger.” The upcoming exhibition of John Lennon’s artwork at Ocean Galleries will support the artist’s philanthropic vision of a world free from hunger. Although the exhibit is free and open to the public, a donation of $5 or more per person is suggested, which will support the Southern Branch of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
“The Art of John Lennon” will be on exhibit and available for acquisition from Thursday, June 18 through Monday, June 22, 2015, with Ocean Galleries open daily from 10:00 AM through 10:00 PM. The gallery will host special receptions with the Collection Curator, Lynne Clifford, from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM on Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, and from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 21. Ms. Clifford, an authority on the artwork of John Lennon, will be in the gallery and available to the public, speaking on the exhibited works and providing insight into the history and stories behind the artwork.
Ms. Yoko Ono Lennon, who created the program, had the specific intent of helping local non-profit organizations in each city the exhibit visits. “We are happy to support the efforts of the Community FoodBank of NJ in conjunction with this exhibition,” explained gallery owner, Kim Miller. “John Lennon was such an icon – known and beloved for his commitment to fostering peace and ending world hunger.”
A little known fact, art was actually John Lennon’s first love, as he began drawing long before he owned a guitar. Like his music, his artwork celebrates human love and communication – two themes at the heart of his contribution to the art of the twentieth century.
The collection of art has been selected from rare archival sketches and is representative of John’s whimsical and thought provoking imagery. Each print is reproduced utilizing the sophisticated and detailed standards typical for archival fine art printing processes, guided, approved, and hand-signed by Yoko Ono.
While music will be remembered as his most popular art form, he loved both literature and his visual art, studying at Liverpool Art Institute from 1957-1960. As early as 1969, John began moving toward a return to visual art. He was primarily interested in drawing and favored the creative loose sketch, working in pen and ink. He continued to draw throughout his life. Lennon’s primary medium was line drawing, in either pen, pencil, or Japanese sumi ink.