Yoko Ono
I was commissioned by The Sunday Times magazine to photograph Yoko Ono. Prior to my arrival and setting up, her P.R. person told me “you’ve got 10 minutes”.
Yoko came in looking very composed. There was a stillness about her, similar to that of many Japanese people I’d come across in the past on my visits to Japan…..a polite containment and dignity.
I asked her to stand on the spot my assistant had marked. I started to shoot, but Yoko remained unanimated
I said” Oh come on Yoko” in my best Liverpool accent,( as she new I had known John in my Art school days in Liverpool back in the day)
“Give us a song” she smiled “Ok I will “ she said I will sing the Beetles song,” When I’m sixty four, and I am sixty four”, we both laughed and she sang away waving her arms and really enjoying herself, ending with a bow, as my assistants and I applauded.
- Clive Arrowsmith is still shooting stunning images, staging exhibitions and is as passionate about photography as he was when he first pressed the shutter at The Paris Collections. He is available for global media opportunities related to his work and photography generally. Bespoke prints from Clive’s archive are also available by special request, for any enquiries (email Eugenie here). Clive’s book Arrowsmith: Fashion, Beauty & Portraits is available here and Lowry at Home: Salford 1966 is available here
