Acclaimed artist Yoko Ono will be honored with a lifetime achievement award from MacDowell, an organization dedicated to supporting artists’ residencies. The prestigious Edward MacDowell Medal will be presented to Ono’s longtime manager, David Newgarden, at an event in Peterborough, New Hampshire, on July 21. Ono, now 91, is not expected to attend the ceremony due to her age.
MacDowell’s board chairperson and Fellow, Nell Painter, praised Ono’s groundbreaking and influential interdisciplinary art, emphasizing its impact on feminism and advocacy for migrants. She cited Ono’s iconic 1964 performance, “Cut Piece,” as an important commentary on gender and identity. Painter also highlighted Ono’s collaborations with John Lennon, particularly the songs “Give Peace a Chance” and “War Is Over,” noting the power of her addition “if you want it” to the latter song.
Yoko Ono’s artistic journey began in 1960 when she moved to New York City and immersed herself in the arts world. Since then, she has created a vast body of work encompassing visual art, performance art, films, and avant-garde music. Her work has been instrumental in shaping the Fluxus art movement and inspiring conceptual artists worldwide. Currently, a retrospective exhibition of her lifetime of work is on display at London’s Tate Modern.
