The Beatles are currently on everyone’s minds due to the recent announcement of a four-part biopic featuring the iconic band. However, there is one woman who is synonymous with the names John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr: Yoko Ono.
Widely known as the widow of the late John Lennon, Yoko Ono is also recognized as an avant-garde artist and a powerful activist in her own right.
This fall, you will have the opportunity to delve into her world. A new solo exhibition dedicated to her nine decades of life and work is coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, which is the only U.S. museum hosting this extraordinary exhibit.
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
From Saturday, October 18, 2025, through Sunday, February 22, 2026, the MCA will host “Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind.” This exhibition follows a successful run at the Tate Modern in London, where it reportedly set an attendance record, according to The Chicago Tribune.
“Music of the Mind” is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date, celebrating key moments of Ono’s career and showcasing art driven by ideas expressed in poetic, humorous, and profound ways.
The exhibition highlights Ono’s career from the 1950s to the present, showcasing over 200 works across various media and genres. This includes performance footage, music and sound recordings, scores, film, photography, installation, and archival materials.
Notable pieces include Ono’s groundbreaking performance, Cut Piece (1964); her films, such as Fly (1970–71) and the banned Film No. 4 (Bottoms) (1966–67). The exhibition also features collaborations with renowned musicians such as John Cage, Ornette Coleman, and her late husband, John Lennon, among others.
Recent works on display include Ono’s ongoing project Wish Tree (1996–present), as well as public artworks that reflect her dedication to peace activism, including Imagine Peace (2003) and Peace is Power (2017).