Four more artists discuss John Lennon

 

John Lennon Is Not Dead is an exhibition taking place at The Stash Gallery inside Vout-O-Reenee's. The exhibition features contributions from 80 esteemed artists who have either made a new work or unearthed something special to celebrate the 80th anniversary of John Lennon's birth. Four of the artists said a few words about what they're contributing...

Mikey Georgeson; "Bed Peace, (acrylic on wood panel.) I grew up in a house where John Lennon was revered and woke up on my 13th birthday to hear he had been shot. John & Yoko were an amazing creative couple. Riding the crest of the wave they infused the world with creative acts and sewed seeds of love. Perhaps the radical and dynamic nature of how they put art in life will be realized more fully one day."

 

 Julie Bennett:"The first John Lennon record I owned was 'The Ballad of John and Yoko' which was bought for me by a life-long friend who is a massive fan. As this record was The Beatles' last number one, I wanted to paint Lennon at the other end of his career before he was famous. My practice examines the role of celebrity so, with Lennon I wanted to consider whether the younger man had a sense of destiny about him, was he always going to be famous? I also wanted to think about the sense of artistic freedom he had before he became so iconic and subsequently, every action was scrutinized by the media which as the ballad implies he felt were out to get him." Christ you know it ain’t easy, You know how hard it can be,The way things are going, They’re going to crucify me.

 

Jasper Joffe: "Lenon (sic) is on linen. On one edge, it says give peace a chance. On the other, revolution by any means necessary."

Hugh Mendes: "My work is called, '20 years ago today'. This painting was made during my MA and was the first time I incorporated a newspaper clipping into a still life painting. It was a memorial as well as a Still Life/Vanitas piece. It led directly to my working with Obituaries, which became an ongoing project and one I am still working with 20 years later. This is the first time it has been shown publicly. "

John Lennon’s Not Dead will feature; drawings, paintings, photography, and collage. There will also be some specially made music and animation and some surprise performances. Because of social distancing there will be 4 Fab gatherings (some of which will be filmed and then shared on You Tube) rather than one big opening party. The Stash Gallery is inside Vout-O-Reenee's, The Crypt, 30 Prescot St, E1 8BB. Please note this celebration of John Winston Ono Lennon is unauthorized and 100 % unofficial.  Vout-O-Reenee's is a private members club and pre booking is essential. http://vout-o-reenees.com/events/john-lennon-is-not-dead-hes-80/ Buy your tickets: HERE

The show opens on Friday 2nd Oct and closes on Wednesday 28th Oct. Vout-O-Reene's is open Tues -Sat 5pm till Late.