Yoko Ono is finally getting a solo museum exhibition in SoCal

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This spring, the Broad museum in Southern California will host the first solo museum exhibition of work by Yoko Ono. The show, titled “Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind,” opens May 23 and will feature interactive pieces. The Broad announced Thursday that the exhibition, organized with Tate Modern in London, will be on display through October 11, 2026. Ono is a celebrated 92-year-old artist, activist, and the wife of the late John Lennon.

When visitors arrive for Ono’s exhibition, they’ll be greeted by an outdoor art installation using the Broad museum’s olive trees. These trees will become “wish trees” for the city, inspired by a similar artwork Ono created in 1996. Guests will be encouraged to write down their wishes on tags and tie them to the tree branches.

According to Connor Monahan, Yoko Ono’s studio director, her art isn’t limited by location or era, but a show in Los Angeles feels particularly relevant now. He explained that Ono’s work encourages audiences to move beyond simply watching and become active participants, actually helping to create the art and the exhibit itself. He believes this feeling of empowerment and connection is especially meaningful today, and that Los Angeles, known for its innovative and welcoming atmosphere, will fully appreciate it.

Yoko Ono has been a captivating and often talked-about figure in music, art, and popular culture since the early 1960s. She first gained prominence through her connection to the Fluxus movement in New York, a group of experimental artists known for their innovative performances and unconventional ideas.

Review

Putting Yoko Ono back in the frame

Donald Brackett’s biography, ‘Yoko Ono: An Artful Life,’ aims to showcase the full scope of Yoko Ono’s impact as an artist, moving beyond her often-simplified portrayal as the person who contributed to the Beatles’ breakup.

Yoko Ono’s artistic work has always involved performance and audience participation. Her experiences growing up in Tokyo during World War II deeply affected her, and fueled her lifelong dedication to promoting peace, love, and connection between all people.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon first met in 1966 at an art exhibit in London’s Indica Gallery. Ono was showcasing her conceptual art, which encouraged audience participation. One piece involved a ladder with a magnifying glass at the top. When Lennon climbed up and looked through it, he discovered the single word “yes” subtly written on a canvas above.

Lennon described feeling a huge sense of relief when he first met Yoko Ono. In an interview with People, he explained that after working hard to connect with her, he was overjoyed to discover she felt the same way, saying it was a wonderful feeling to finally receive a positive response.

Joanne Heyler, director and president of the Broad, explained that Yoko Ono’s focus on peace, creativity, and working together is still relevant today, especially when so much news focuses on conflict. Heyler noted that Ono’s art, which she began creating over 70 years ago, still feels modern because it blends art, music, and performance in unique ways, forging powerful emotional connections with audiences. It’s a testament to how communities are actively working towards a more positive future, even now.

Books

Ian Leslie’s book, ‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs,’ explores the creative connection between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, telling the story of their partnership through their music.

Heyler explained that the museum adjusted its schedule to prioritize Ono’s exhibition, wanting to share its relevant message with Los Angeles audiences as soon as possible.

The Broad museum’s upcoming show will showcase Yoko Ono’s interactive art, featuring pieces from the 1950s to today where visitors are invited to follow or think about simple instructions. The exhibit will also include original typed drafts of her influential 1964 book, “Grapefruit,” a collection of over 200 instructions presented as ideas for music, art, happenings, poetry, and more.

The exhibition will also showcase Yoko Ono’s activism, featuring items from her peace campaigns. This includes protests she did with John Lennon, like the “Acorn Event” in 1968 and the famous “Bed Peace” events in 1969. For “Bed Peace,” the couple held protests in bed in Amsterdam and Montreal, inviting the press to discuss their opposition to the Vietnam War.

The exhibition will feature a lot of film and video, including historical footage of Yoko Ono’s famous 1964 performance art piece, “Cut Piece.” In this piece, performed at Yamaichi Hall in Kyoto, Ono sat still while audience members cut away parts of her clothing.

As a critic, I think the Broad made a brilliant choice with this exhibition. Sarah Loyer, the curator, put it perfectly in an email – Los Angeles, a city brimming with artists and innovators, is the ideal place to celebrate Yoko Ono’s groundbreaking work. Ono doesn’t just create art; she challenges us to see the world differently, to start with inner change as a path to peace. What really struck me is how she blends personal experiences with calls for collective action – I have a feeling that message will deeply connect with people here in Los Angeles.

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2025-11-06 16:31