Yoko Ono: A Retrospective Free from the Beatles Blame Game

“Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind,” a significant retrospective of Yoko Ono's work, is currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. This exhibition, which runs until February 22, 2026, showcases over 200 works spanning nearly seven decades, including performance art, music, and conceptual pieces. The exhibit is organized chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of Ono's artistic themes and ideas.

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The exhibition features notable pieces such as the large reproduction poster of Ono's debut performance at Carnegie Hall on November 24, 1961, and her influential works like “Cut Piece,” where she invited audience members to cut away parts of her clothing. Other highlights include “Box of Smile,” a small box with a mirror that encourages viewers to smile, and “Ceiling Painting,” which invites participants to climb a ladder to find a tiny “YES” painted on the ceiling, although safety concerns prevent this interaction.

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Ono's “Wish Trees” installation allows visitors to write wishes on tags and hang them on olive trees, while “My Mommy Is Beautiful” invites reflections on motherhood. The exhibit also includes “Mend Piece,” where visitors attempt to reconstruct broken ceramic dishes without matching pieces, prompting creative problem-solving.

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Despite the exhibition's celebration of Ono's work, there remains a historical context of misogyny directed at her, particularly from Beatles fans who have often unfairly blamed her for the band's breakup. This sentiment was palpable during a recent viewing of archival footage from “Let it Be,” where Ono faced vocal disapproval from the audience. Such reactions highlight the ongoing struggle against the narrative that has overshadowed her artistic contributions.

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The exhibition, originally staged at the Tate Modern in London in 2024, aims to reframe Ono's legacy as a visionary artist independent of her association with John Lennon. Curators emphasize that Ono's work has always stood on its own merit, showcasing her as a revolutionary figure in contemporary art.

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• “While you mend | think of mending the world.” — Yoko Ono, on the intention behind “Mend Piece.”

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• “She was doing these things while John was onstage in Hamburg in his underwear with a toilet seat around his neck,” — Anonymous visitor reflecting on Ono's pre-Beatles career.

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“Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind” serves not only as a retrospective of her artistic journey but also as a crucial reassessment of her role in the cultural landscape. The exhibition invites audiences to engage with Ono's work on its own terms, free from the historical baggage of the Beatles narrative. As it prepares to move to the Broad in Los Angeles in May 2026, the exhibit continues to challenge perceptions and celebrate Ono's enduring influence in the art world.

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