KEY POINTS:
Former Beatle John Lennon's sense of humour will be on show in Auckland next month when a collection of his artwork goes on display.
"Imagine the Art of John Lennon" includes limited edition fine art prints consisting of lithographs, serigraphs and copper etchings hand reproduced from his original drawings, and handwritten song lyrics, said the Ferner Galleries of Parnell in Auckland.
Lennon, who was shot dead in Manhattan in 1980, was an artist before he joined the Beatles and shot to world-wide fame. He attended Liverpool Art School between 1957 and 1960 and always said art came first.
He enraged Christians around the world in 1966 when he said the Beatles were more popular than Jesus - a remark for which he has only just been forgiven by the Roman Catholic church.
The display of 15 limited edition prints next month revealed his sense of humour, said his widow Yoko Ono, the Japanese artist who married Lennon in 1969.
She told NewstalkZB today it was nice to see in Lennon's art something that was "upbeat" now that the world "was in a bit of a mess".
She said his art was very important to Lennon.
Ferner Galleries said the display would reveal Lennon's view of emotional and philosophical milestones, his appeal for world peace and his love for his son Sean.
Ono said she released one of Lennon's drawings every year to make life "less boring".
The 10-day display, which was for sale, would support the Peace Foundation of New Zealand.
- NZPA
