Ono's Sales List

8. August 1963

Daughter born: Kyoko Ono Cox

1964

“Grapefruit” is published

Ono publishes “Grapefruit”, a book of instruction-based “action poems”. Nearly half a century later, in 2013, a sequel, “Acorn”, will follow.

September 1966

Took part in: Destruction in Art Symposium

1966

London: the Destruction in Art Symposium

In September 1966 Ono visits London for the Destruction in Art Symposium organised by the artist and political activist Gustav Metzger. She is the only woman artist chosen to perform her own events and one of only two invited to speak.

7 November 1966

Meets John Lennon at the Indica Gallery

At the Indica Gallery in London, where Ono is preparing “Unfinished Paintings”, her conceptual exhibition, the gallery owner John Dunbar introduces her to John Lennon. Lennon is won over by “Ceiling Painting / Yes Painting”, a ladder at the top of which a magnifying glass reveals the tiny word YES; in “Hammer a Nail” he wants to hammer a nail in, Ono at first stops him and then relents for five shillings, and Lennon replies that he will give her an imaginary five shillings and hammer in an imaginary nail.

1967

“Half-A-Wind Show” at Lisson Gallery

After they meet, Ono starts writing to Lennon and sending him her conceptual artworks, and soon the two are corresponding. In September 1967 Lennon sponsors her solo “Half-A-Wind Show” at Lisson Gallery in London.