Lennon honoured with artwork showing him in yellow submarine

Artist Yoko Ono, centre, widow of John Lennon, poses with Irish singer Bono, right, and guitarist The Edge of U2 during the unveiling of a tapestry honoring Lennon at Ellis Island in New York. EduardoShow more

Standing in front of artwork depicting Manhattan as a yellow submarine and John Lennon as the pilot displaying the peace sign, Yoko Ono joined Bono and other guests to honour her late husband on Wednesday, July 30.

Ono said the tapestry at Ellis Island in New York is “so special” and that the Beatles band member would have loved it.

Lennon appears on the artwork commissioned by Art for Amnesty founder Bill Shipsey to thank Ono on behalf of human rights group Amnesty International. The organisation raised more than $5 million in royalties from covers of Lennon’s post-Beatles music since 2004.

The artwork showing Manhattan as a yellow submarine in a sea of blue is on display at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Music executive Jimmy Iovine, U2 rocker Bono, and his bandmate The Edge, covered the cost for New-York based Czech artist Peter Sis to design the commemorative piece.

“This is a very happy moment for the family,” Ono said.

At the event, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito declared July 29 as John Lennon Day.

The tapestry unveiling marks the 40th anniversary of Lennon getting US residency.

“John had to fight to get here,” Ono said.

Lennon who is originally from Liverpool, England, appeared in several deportation hearings in the early 1970s. He initially was not granted US residency, but that decision was overturned in 1975.

Ono said Lennon was determined to stay in the US partly because of the change he believed could happen.

“He knew that what we do in America is really going to affect the whole world,” Ono said.

Ono, a peace and human rights activist, said she will continue communicating with the public through art and music.