Partners in Life and Art
Intimate portraits of John and Yoko

Renowned for his sensual, provocative images,Kishin Shinoyamaisone of Japans most controversial and acclaimed artists, at once hailed by critics and charged for public indecency. Photographing everything from antiques to porn stars, Shinoyama is particularly recognized for his work with pop icons and celebrities, and the rare, private moments he captures with very public personalities. Through his lens, world-famous faces often reveal an unexpected openness and vulnerability.

This capacity for ease and intimacy is perhaps most poignantly expressed in hisbeautiful series of photographs of Yoko Ono and John Lennon, shot at Onos request for the cover and promotion of the couples celebrated 1980 album,Double Fantasy,just three months before Lennons untimely death. Now, over 30 years later, these imagesmany of them never seen beforestill resonate with a remarkable freshness and honesty, immortalizing the iconic couple at a pivotal moment in their personal and creative relationship.

Limited to a total of 1,980 numbered copies signed by Yoko Ono andKishin Shinoyama, this book is available as Collectors Edition (No. 2511,980), and also in two Art Editions of 125 copies each (No. 1250), with a pigment print signed byKishin Shinoyama.

The photographer

Kishin Shinoyama(19402024) began shooting award-winning advertising photography while still a student at Nihon University. He started working as a freelance photographer in 1968 and gained fame for his portraits, including those of Yukio Mishima, Momoe Yamaguchi, Rie Miyazawa, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and for his artistic nudes of women. His 1980 photoshoot with Lennon and Ono which resulted in the cover image of their albumDouble Fantasy was one of the last photos of Lennon ever taken.

Kishin Shinoyama. John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Double Fantasy