John Lennon, Statue of Liberty, New York City

Gary Lichtenstein Editions is delighted to present a new multimedia print edition by Bob Gruen entitled, “John Lennon, Statue of Liberty, New York City.”

 

 

The prints are based on one of the most iconic photographs ever taken of John Lennon. 47 years later, this image underscores the importance of a time when we all need to come together for the sake of preserving and promoting peace.

Bob Gruen met John Lennon in 1971, shortly after he moved to New York. For the next 9 years, Bob worked as John’s personal photographer and captured a wide variety of moments in John’s career and his family life. Bob and John became friends and the strength of that friendship is visible in every photograph that Bob took.

 

 

Bob has said that he doesn’t direct his photoshoots. He prefers that the individual in front of the camera choose the pose (or poses) with which they are more comfortable. The result is a photograph that is true to the individual. It was a Bob who suggested the shoot in front of the Statue of Liberty, as a way to help John’s case against the deportation efforts of the Nixon administration.

“… it dawned on me that taking a picture of John at the Statue of Liberty would help dramatize his case. After all, America stood as the world’s most welcoming nation, and yet we were throwing out one of the world’s greatest artists. John loved the idea.” 

 – Bob Gruen 

Bob Gruen is one of the most well-known and respected photographers in Rock and Roll. By the mid 1970’s he was already regarded as one of the foremost documenters of the scene working with major attractions such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Kiss and others, also covering the emerging New Wave and Punk bands including The New York Dolls, Patti Smith, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones & Blondie. He began photographing rock stars with Ike and Tina Turner and served as John Lennon’s personal photographer during his time in New York City. Gruen is best known for his photograph of Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt. 

 

 

In 2011, “Rock & Roll Exposed: the Photography of Bob Gruen,” aired on Sky Arts TV in England. Directed by the award winning filmmaker, Don Letts. Bob’s Autobiography, “Right Place Right Time was published by Abrams in October 2020. Other books include “Rock Seen” (Abrams – 2011) 2005’s “John Lennon – The New York Years” (Abrams 2005/ revised 2015) “Green Day” (Abrams 2019) and others. Bob Gruen’s work has been exhibited widely at a number of museums and galleries including the Museum of Modern Art, NYC, National Art Gallery, Washington, DC, The Metropolitan Design Center in Buenos Aires, Museum of Image and Sound, Sao Paolo, Morrison Hotel Gallery NYC & LA. 

“John Lennon’s name will always be synonymous with peace and political activism… he was a fierce champion, not only of the anti-war movement but also of civil rights and feminism. I think almost everybody understands the significance of John’s solo career he used songwriting as a vehicle to promote awareness and to encourage positive change.” – Bob Gruen 

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., was established in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic centennial restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Foundation has raised $800 million, all from private donations, and collaborated with the U.S. Department of Interior/National Park Service on nearly 300 projects in what has become one of the most successful public-private partnerships in U.S. history. To learn more about the Foundation and to support its mission of preserving these cherished national monuments go to www.statueofliberty.org.

 

“John Lennon, Statue of Liberty, New York City.”

Silkscreen and mixed media on 290 gram Coventry Rag paper 

17” x 23” | Edition of 200 

Signed, Titled and Numbered by the Artist in pencil 

Unframed price: $450 

A portion of all proceeds will benefit The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.

Orders will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

 

The reservation portal is located at: www.gleditions.com/new-releases. Alternatively, an email with your name, shipping address and telephone number can be sent to Melissa Marr [email protected], or Paolo Galli Zugaro [email protected].