John Lennon’s musical accomplishments are well known, but his artistic output hasn’t received the same kind of attention.
Lennon, who died 30 years ago on Dec. 8, 1980, was a gifted poet and artist. He created hundreds of drawings, many of them whimsical and many portraits of himself, wife Yoko Ono and his family.
Starting Wednesday, Pacific Edge Gallery in Laguna Beach is presenting “Remembering John: A Tribute to the Art of John Lennon.” The 5-day exhibit will feature about 35 works, including the premiere of four new releases of Lennon’s artwork in limited editions, selected and hand-signed by Ono.
“We were wrestling with whether to do anything or not” to commemorate the anniversary, said Paul C. Jillson, director and founder of Pacific Edge Gallery. “In the end, we wanted to celebrate his life with his artwork, which is mostly positive and uplifting.”
Lennon spent three years at Liverpool Art College, but dropped out before his final year. Even arter the enormous success of the Beatles, he never lost his interest in art. He continued to draw, doodle, write short stories and compose poems.
In fact, Lennon first met Ono at an art exhibition — hers.
The musician and artist was killed by deranged fan Mark David Chapman, who shot him four times in the back at the entrance of his apartment building in New York City.
The Laguna show will also feature rare, original lithographs from the Bag One Portfolio signed by Lennon, an original drawing from Lennon’s trip to Japan in 1977, and lyrics written by the outspoken Beatle.
The show is presented with the full cooperation of Ono and the John Lennon Estate. It is free to the public, but works are for sale.
The opening will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, then gallery hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The gallery is at 540 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. For more information, call 949-494-0491 or visit pacificedgegallery.com.
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Contact the writer: 714-796-6026 or rchang@ocregister.com
