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If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that’s his problem. Love and peace are eternal. - John Lennon

Here Comes The Walrus: The Art of John Lennon

By COOPER DAVIS

“John loved the sea. But doesn’t everyone?” said Ms. Ono.

J ohn Lennon’s legacy has spread far and wide, mostly through his music. But this weekend, the Island will receive the late Beatle’s legendary wit, candor and artistry in another form: his drawings.

Wry and whimsical vignettes.

“What many people don’t know about John was that he was an artist before he was a rocker,” his widow and artistic collaborator Yoko Ono told the Gazette. “When he graduated high school his teacher saw that he was uniquely talented in art and said, ‘Maybe we can try to send him to art school,’ — probably because he could not get into regular school — and so maybe try Liverpool Art School, which was a very good school. And they did. And John was very proud.”

The show features drawings done for baby Sean.

Working primarily with pencil (and later, after meeting Ms. Ono and travelling to Japan, Asian brushes), Mr. Lennon produced art throughout his life. His drawings are whimsical, immediate and human. And they will be on display and available for purchase at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven through the weekend, beginning today and continuing through Sunday.

Peace on earth, a 1979 self portrait.

The show, entitled Come Together, will benefit the Island Food Pantry through a suggested donation of $2 at the door. “When we do the show, we like to make sure that we contribute something to the community, and the reason is that John would have liked it,” said Ms. Ono.

— Cooper Davis

Exhibit hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For details on the show, call 888-278-1969. The Mansion House is at the corner of Main street and State Road in Vineyard Haven. For details, call 508-693-2200.

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Friday, July 17, 2009 8:00am

The Artwork of John Lennon is a -fraud- by his widow Yoko Ono, along with her business associates: Legacy Fine Art Production, Pacific Edge Gallery and others, to cash in at the expense of the unsuspecting consumer and legitimate artists, not to mention John Lennon's true legacy.

Since 1986, Yoko Ono and her business associates have misrepresented more than 35,000 posthumous black-and-white reproductions and colorized & altered fakes for sale to the public at $500 to $8,000 or more each as “lithographs,” “serigraphs,” “woodcuts" and "etchings” ie., original works of visual art, not to mention its' deceptive promotion as the "Artwork of John Lennon."

John Lennon died in 1980.

The dead don't create artwork.

To learn more about these contentious issues of authenticity, link to: http://garyarseneau.blogspot.com/

Gary Arseneau
artist, creator of original lithographs & scholar
Fernandina Beach, Florida

- Gary Arseneau , Fernandina Beach, Florida

Friday, July 17, 2009 2:59pm

Oh, Gary Arseneau! GET A LIFE! You seem to come out of the woodwork whenever there is an exhibition! Do you need attention, Gary? How sad! Yoko Ono has NEVER hidden the fact that she takes John's original drawings, adds her artwork, and makes the final results! The world has known this since the 80's, Gary! You seem to come along talking like your the God send of the art world! Who are you to talk down to people, and preach your hatred to Yoko Ono? People know whats-up, do you, Gary?

- Vincent Vigil , San Diego

Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:19am

To Gary Arseneau,

Agreed, 100%.

This is NOT original artwork by John Lennon! This "work" is manufactured and altered by others. FYI, when you change someone else's work - and forge their name and/or sign you own on it - it is no longer that person's work, and thus, has no real value. John Lennon never meant for his personal doodles and sketches to be manipulated and later sold as his "art." Since he was dead, he also did not participate in deciding to create this collection. Look for an ORIGINAL John Lennon signature, ONLY. You won't find one. This "show" is a con - BEWARE!

- Last Year's Victim , Florida

Monday, July 20, 2009 2:44pm

I've been to this exhibition (couple of years ago in Boston). We purchased a limited edition, framed copy of John's Handwritten lyrics to "Real Love". It cost more than we had. But you know what? Proceeds went to a local charity, as they did when it came to the Vineyard.
I have no problem with that. So for THAT reason alone, it's well-worth it to me.
That said, don't take that as an endorsement John's 2nd wife. Not a fan, never have been a fan, and can't see becoming one. She didn't break up the Beatles (anyone who thinks that is giving her WAAAY to much power). She may be a brilliant businesswoman, but her ambition to equal John's music career is just wrong. I know everyone is different. But she should've taken a page out of Linda McCartney's book. Support your amazingly talented & famous husband, but don't compete with him (or his memory).

On one hand, she is honoring John's memory and that's great. On the other hand, when she and John's youngest son bad-mouth the man about his at-times abusive behavior, the hypocrisy diminishes any good that comes from her philanthropy.

For class and dignity, look to Cynthia & Julian Lennon (a part of John's life that she's been trying to erase ever since she & John got together).

Thanks for listening,

Ray Whitaker
(Host of "Just Four Guys")
Just Four Guys airs as a podcast every Tuesday Afternoon on http://www.mvyradio.com

All are archived at the following address:

http://justfourguys.blogspot.com/

- Ray Whitaker , Oak Bluffs

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Here Comes The Walrus: The Art of John Lennon

Friday, July 17, 2009 8:00am

Friday, July 17, 2009 2:59pm

Saturday, July 18, 2009 3:19am

Monday, July 20, 2009 2:44pm