While Yoko Ono remains a household name, much of the public perception of her legacy has been centered on her role as the wife of the late Beatle, John Lennon. A new exhibition opening Saturday, May 23, at The Broad in downtown Los Angeles seeks to reframe that narrative by highlighting her extensive career as an artist, musician, and peace activist.
The retrospective, titled “Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind,” marks the first time that the artist’s solo pieces have been displayed in Southern California. Organized in collaboration with London’s Tate Modern, the exhibition traces seven decades of Ono’s work. At 93, Ono resides in New York and is not expected to attend the show.
Did You Know?
Yoko Ono’s lifelong commitment to anti-war activism is believed to have been shaped by her experiences during World War II, when she was evacuated from Tokyo to the countryside as a child.
Reclaiming a Conceptual Legacy
Ono was an established figure in the international art scene long before she met John Lennon in 1966. Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad, emphasized during a recent press gathering that Ono’s status as a pioneering conceptual artist was solidified well before her marriage, which often overshadowed her individual professional accomplishments.
The exhibition features many of Ono’s signature “instructional” works, which she began developing in the 1950s. These pieces invite the viewer to become an active participant in the creation of art. For instance, the piece Painting to Hammer a Nail (1961/1966) requires visitors to drive a nail into a blank wall, while her 1964 book, Grapefruit, offers poetic prompts such as, “Draw a map to get lost.”
Expert Insight:
By shifting the focus from Ono’s celebrity associations to her early instructional and performance art, the exhibition acts as a necessary institutional correction. The challenge for curators here is to balance the historical weight of her conceptual manifestos with the unavoidable curiosity surrounding her later collaborations with Lennon, ensuring that the former is not eclipsed by the latter.
Interactive Installations and Future Performances
The exhibition extends beyond the gallery walls into the museum’s courtyard, where visitors are encouraged to participate in Wish Trees for Los Angeles (1996/2026). Participants can write and tie personal wishes to the branches of olive trees, a practice that serves as a living, community-driven installation.
The retrospective also revisits some of Ono’s most provocative performances. While the museum provides video documentation of her 1964 work Cut Piece—in which she sat motionless while audience members cut away her clothing—the museum will also host live restagings of the performance on July 18 and 19 at REDCAT, featuring performance artist MPA.
Exhibition Details
“Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind” runs through October 11, 2026. The Broad is located at 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. While the museum’s main galleries are free, tickets for this special exhibition are $21, though entry is free on Thursdays with advance tickets. Visitors should be advised that the exhibition contains nudity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find more information about the exhibition?
Detailed information and ticketing options are available at thebroad.org/art/special-exhibitions/yoko-ono-music-mind.
Is Yoko Ono expected to be at the exhibition?
No. At 93 years old, the artist currently lives in New York and does not travel, so she is not expected to attend the show.
Are there any live performances associated with the show?
Yes. The museum has scheduled restagings of Cut Piece and Sky Piece to Jesus Christ for July 18 and 19 at REDCAT.
Will this retrospective succeed in shifting the cultural narrative surrounding Yoko Ono’s influence on modern art?
