“The sky is always there for me, while my life has been going through many, many changes. When I look up the sky, it gives me a nice feeling, like looking at an old friend.” – Yoko Ono
What I knew about Yoko Ono before I met her at the United Nations a couple of years ago was, that she was married to John Lennon. But that was about it really. I was fortunate enough to spent an entire afternoon with her and her staff which was an amazing experience. Before I talk a bit more about my encounter with her I share some insight on her first so you can shine talking about her and her art at the next party which is a great conversation starter. 😉
Yoko Ono was born in 1933 in Tokyo. When she was two years old she moved with her parents to California; however, she returned to Japan/Tokyo a bit before WWII and survived the bombings in 1945. In the 50s she came back to the States and moved to New York together with her parents. She went to college to study music and art. She worked as a waitress, studied and was a music teacher in New York public schools at one point. Throughout this time she suffered from depression and actually was in a mental hospital in Japan. At that time she was married to Anthony Cox and later had one daughter with him. A while later when she felt a lot better, Ono started art exhibits throughout the States with “Bottoms” in 1966 with 365 volunteers and friends who showed their naked buttocks for close ups for the exhibit. On a side-note: What’s up with this guy?
This is Jeremy Levenbach. He features photos of himself completely naked throughout New York City. If you want to see his butt, click here.
Sorry, I got off on a tangent thinking about butts. Back to Yoko Ono.
John Lennon came into her life at an art show she had in London in 1966. As Ono stated many times in interviews, “I was first impressed with his [John Lennon’s] intellect, everything else came later”. They married and were together 24/7 for almost six years (say WHAAAT?!) until they had a break of approximately one year. I don’t think it is easy to be that famous. They did have to go through a lot of attacks from politicians, harasses and of course the media. Many say that Ono broke apart the Beatles. I love that they stayed together and created great music and art. They also have a son together. She had many art shows all over the world already. In fact, there is an art show at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) right now. I really love the New Museum in New York. They usually have some of her art as well and a lot more contemporary art. The New Museum, according to my godmother “you either love or hate – there is no in-between”.
John Lennon was murdered in 1980 and Yoko was right next to him when it happened. After his death she went into complete seclusion for a long time. She dedicated a lot of her exhibits, memorials, monuments and artwork to him.
I think they had a very special strong loving relationship which becomes clearer when you read and see her art in her book “Between the sky and my head”. I read this book and showed it to someone at work so it was at my desk. When I heard Yoko Ono will be at the United Nations I grabbed my book and met her in person. Of course she signed my book and we had a nice little chat afterwards. I also own this book by her if you are interested in her drawings. It was very special when I met her and Yoko Ono is indeed one awesome, good-hearted person.
