Won’t Make Lennon Art ‘Charity Case,’ Yoko Ono Declares

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, unveiled a collection of art by the ex-Beatle but refused to donate proceeds to the poor because it would make his work “a charity case.”

“I don’t want John’s artwork to become a charity case,” she said at the opening Tuesday. “If that’s so, he can’t establish his artistic value.”

Ono flew from New York to attend a private showing of 60 pieces of Lennon’s work at the Frankel Gallery. The exhibition works are on sale for prices from $20 to $36,000.

“I’m proud of him for these works,” Ono said. “He had a burning desire of being accepted and appreciated as an artist. He was a sort of Renaissance man before his time.