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Remember Love: The Artwork of John Lennon

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Karmic Wheel. Courtesy of YOKO ONO.
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Turn Left and Make Peace. Courtesy of YOKO ONO.

More than 30 years after the tragic end to a truly unforgettable artistic legend, John Lennon is still able to spread peace and love throughout the world, with the help of his love, Yoko Ono.

Since the 1980s, Yoko has presented hundreds of pieces of John’s personal drawings and artwork to the world, through”Remember Love: The Artwork of John Lennon,” displaying another dimension to the famed Beatle’s artistic nature.

The gallery will be presented just in time for Valentine’s Day, the day of love, at the Shops of Third Street South, 1290 Third Street South, Naples, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 13 to 15.

What began as his personal collection was soon to become one that was to be displayed to the world.

“He was just doing it (the artwork), but at the same time, he had the desire to show his artwork. And after Sean was born, he was really giving John lots of inspiration and encouragement. There’s a whole slough of drawings he has done for Sean. It’s a bittersweet memory,” she said.

This presentation truly means a lot to Yoko, as it took a very long time to finally get it to happen. For a while, John, himself tried to get his artwork displayed publicly.

“Art galleries gave him a hard time,” Yoko said. “They’d tell him they weren’t interested, and it always left him disappointed. Or, they’d tell him to bring a guitar, and that wasn’t what it was about.”

For a while, after his passing, Yoko said it was still very difficult, as galleries would only show John’s work if she made appearances.

“The fact that he was so famous as a rockstar, it really didn’t help,” she said.

But, she persevered, pulled through, and now John can show the world what he’s wanted to for a very long time.

“Oh, he would have loved it, knowing his artwork is on display for thousands to enjoy,” Yoko said. “His artwork, it’s almost shining.”

Of course, Yoko really can’t point to one single favorite she has from John’s collection, as she admires them all, but can certainly discuss one in particular.

“I really love them all. I felt they were all very important,” she said. “But, one piece that I’m very fond of in particular is the one where John and I are drawn in a very abstract way. I love that one because it just shows how good of an artist he is, and it was drawn in just one stroke. It’s a beautiful thing that he did.”

With each new season of displaying his collection, Yoko releases a few of John’s never-before-publicly-seen pieces for viewing.

“Every year, I try to bring out several new ones,” she said. “I like to keep them coming out very slowly. It’s a certain platform to be appreciated.”

A few of the never-before-seen pieces making an appearance to the gallery this year include “United We Stand,” “He Tried To Consult the Stars,” “Turn Left and Make Peace,” and “Karmic Wheel.”

And just like past seasons of displaying John’s collection, Yoko is sure to involve a local charity within the mix, with our Harry Chapin Food Bank benefitting from the Naples showing this year.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” she said.

While browsing through John’s artistic collection and views of his personal life (such as “Suddenly 38”), his family life (such “Afternoon Tea”), and imaginary life doodles of just fun characters and happenings (such as “A Hippotato,” “Collie Flower” and “A Small Pig”), you can truly see the love and devotion he had for his wife, his family and his fellow man.

During the gallery display, lithographs will be available to take home a piece of John’s love, and a suggested $2 donation would be greatly appreciated to go to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Gallery hours are Friday, Feb. 13, from noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 1-888-ART-1969, or for directions, call 261-2645.

“I’m just so very pleased that John’s work is finally being appreciated,” Yoko concluded.

Whether they are images of real or imaginary creatures, John’s innocent artwork radiates a powerful feeling of peace and love. Come see his world, a world that lives as one.