Arts column: Sculpture is a testament to the interest that John Lennon generates

There has been a lot of talk about John Lennon’s visit to Bermuda in 1980 and the impact it had on his final work before his life ended so abruptly and tragically in December of that year. 

The sculpture by Graham Foster, which stands proudly at Masterworks’ entrance, is a testament to the interest that John Lennon still generates. 

It was inspired by a number of iconic Lennon images-his Rickenbacker guitar, his “Granny glasses” and the peace doves. Made from Cor-Ten steel, it has a finish that rusts naturally, leaving a brownish red patina creating a lovely contrast to the lush foliage of the surrounding Botanical Gardens. The title of the sculpture, Double Fantasy, refers to a species of freesia, which grew in the gardens in the springtime. 

It is doubtful that Lennon actually saw a flower “in the flesh” as it blooms in the springtime and he and his son Sean were in Bermuda in the summer and they would have long bloomed by then. 

It can be surmised that it would have been the sign that was put near the plant that he would have read and chose for the title of his album as it represented his relationship with his wife Yoko Ono as one that was collaborative and based on the creative and the imagination. Masterworks is proud to have this sculpture as part of its permanent collection and hopes that eventually more sculptures will be found in and around the gardens.

Article by Masterworks’ Museum of Bermuda Art curator Elise Outerbridge.