Yoko Ono back in Liverpool to see ladder artwork

Oct 19 2008

John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono made a flying visit to a city today to see how her artwork concept involving ladders had grown after contributions from the public.

The Liverpool Skyladders is a collection of ladders positioned in the ruins of St Luke’s Church in Liverpool city centre, commissioned for a festival of contemporary art.

Around 25 ladders, including single step and nine foot tall wood and aluminium frames, have been collected from the public since September for the work which is part of the MADE UP exhibition of international artwork commissioned for the Liverpool Biennial 2008.

Ono, who is 75 and donated her own set of ladders to the work today, said: “Originally it was a piece I dedicated to John a long time ago in the 60s and he loved it. It was very avant-garde at the time.

“It grew into something new.

“After John’s passing I felt a strong kind of togetherness with people who went through the horror of it all (John Lennon’s death). I wanted the work to be dedicated to people as well.

“The ladder takes you a bit closer to the sky.”

Speaking about the collection, which is expected to grow until the end of the festival on November 30, Ono said: “It’s just beautiful. I’m very happy that people understand it.

“It’s a very humble work. Each ladder isn’t anything special, it’s just special because it was brought by a person.