Strawberry Field partners with renowned artist, James Wilkinson, for new exhibition featuring a collection of art pieces using the microphone leads used by John Lennon during the recording of his seminal song, ‘Imagine,’ in 1971.
The exhibition, named Lennon Wired, has been created by renowned pop artist, James Wilkinson, and will be displayed at the new visitor attraction in south Liverpool until October.
Each piece in the collection features intricate segments from seven microphone leads, which Wilkinson acquired from the sale of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Tittenhurst Park estate from 1969-1971. Every piece uses wire, board and staples as its primary materials and plays homage to John Lennon’s eclectic style, embedded with artefacts from the subject’s life.
This imaginative collection has only been displayed once in the UK, and all 11 pieces will be available to purchase for the duration of their time at Strawberry Field. For each item sold, at least 10% of the purchase price will be donated to The Salvation Army (charity no. 214779) or The Salvation Army Social Work Trust (charity no. 215174). Profits from the visitor experience and commercial operations go towards keeping the gates open for the good of the local community; and to help fund Steps at Strawberry Field, a series of programs aimed at those with learning difficulties or other barriers to employment.
Sue Harvey, commercial manager, Strawberry Field, said:
“Visitors will love our new Lennon Wired exhibition. It is a celebration of John’s artistic greatness, with each piece of art a testament to his message of love, peace and harmony which flowed through the leads and wires over 40 years ago into his seminal anthem of peace; a message that remains just as prevalent today.”
Strawberry Field is an award-winning new visitor attraction in Liverpool, located at the iconic site immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles’ hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. The exhibition will also see the microphone leads reunited with the Steinway piano on which John wrote and recorded ‘Imagine’ alongside Yoko Ono, which is currently on loan to the attraction from George Michael’s estate.
Strawberry Field is home to an interactive visitor exhibition which includes the original red gates, and the magical gardens where John played, climbed trees and dreamed as a child.
James Wilkinson comes with real pop music pedigree. He was previously Artist in Residence at Hylands House, was the first artist to be appointed Artist to the V Festival in 2012, and was commissioned by the Amy Winehouse Foundation to produce a portrait of the late singer in 2015. His work is owned by a number of musical artists, including members of The Rolling Stones, All Saints, The Prodigy, Oasis, McFly, Westlife and Happy Mondays.
Artist, James Wilkinson, said:
“I chose Strawberry Field because it was John’s sanctuary as a child. Because it continues the theme of love and peace that he wanted so much. I created the artworks, made from the microphone leads that John used to record his Imagine album, so that the message of peace and love can now be carried visually with the leads that resonated with the message from John and Yoko in 1971.”
To celebrate the launch of Lennon Wired, Strawberry Field held a special evening featuring a Q&A with the artist, which was attended by Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister and honorary president of Strawberry Field.
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