SOUTHWEST HARBOR — Candid photos of musician John Lennon are on display at the Cygnet Gallery in Southwest Harbor this weekend.
“We are the 72nd stop for them in the United States in the last two years,” said Nancy McKechnie, co-owner of the Cygnet Gallery. “We were honored and thrilled to be selected for something like this. It’s a little bit surreal.”
The photos were taken by Lennon’s former romantic partner, May Pang, and highlight a period between 1973 and 1975 known as The Lost Weekend.
“For so many years, people have actually taken my narrative and told the story of my life,” said Pang. “So, it was time for me to reclaim my time.”
Pang told Spectrum News Friday that the photos are meant to show what Lennon was like in his day-to-day life during that time period.
“There’s the misconception that John was miserable, that he was down and out, that he was drugged out, that he was everything,” said Pang. “But that’s not the case, and when they see these photos they see another side of John, the John that I knew.”
The exhibition coincides with the recent digital release of the feature film documentary on Lennon and Pang entitled The Lost Weekend: A Love Story.
“When the movie was coming out, I thought maybe it’s time also to do these photos and put them out for other people to enjoy,” said Pang.
Included in the gallery is a photo of the moment Lennon signed a document to dissolve the Beatles.
“I also did one iconic photograph that’s here, which is the dissolution of the Beatles — the agreement,” said Pang. “I’m the only person in the room taking a photo of John signing — he’s the last signature.”
Photos are available for purchase and are on display through Sunday at the Cygnet Gallery in Southwest Harbor.
“We have a big art community,” said Jessica Powers, Cygnet Gallery manager. “To be able to have somebody so significant in the music industry and the art industry and has great stories to share with anyone who wants to listen and free to come and enjoy it, it’s been really wonderful.”
You can visit the gallery between noon and 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday to view the photos or visit thecygnetgallery.com to learn more.