Yoko Ono is widely recognized for her groundbreaking conceptual art, which has encompassed performance, instruction, film, music, and writing. Born in Tokyo in 1933, she moved to New York following studies in philosophy, and became a key figure in a vibrant avant-garde scene. Her innovative instruction pieces—conceptual guides that inspire actions or thoughts—were first collected and published as the book Grapefruit in 1964. Together with her husband, John Lennon, in 1969 Ono realized the international campaign WAR IS OVER! (IF YOU WANT IT). She has been the focus of major solo exhibitions at the Guggenheim Bilbao, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, among others. Ono received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the Venice Biennale in 2009. Today, she continues to work tirelessly for world peace.
In Mend Piece (Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York City version), Ono proposes communal mending as an act of healing. Presented with shattered cups and saucers, participants are asked to bind the fragments together using common household items: twine, glue, scissors, and tape. The resulting creations are displayed on nearby shelves, evidence of the power of collective action.
This exhibition was organized by the American Federation of the Arts (AFA).
The presentation of Yoko Ono’s Mend Piece (Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York City version) is part of ArtRoom, an ongoing series of contemporary art installations organized by the AFA.
