Yoko Ono
B.Feb 18, 1933-Present
Multimedia Artist

Yoko Ono Hand-Picked Quotes

Yoko Ono stands out as a distinguished artist, performer, and peace advocate, having left a vivid imprint on modern art and culture. Her innovative art transcends the ordinary, integrating various mediums like music, film, and performance art. Her commitment to promoting peace, non-violence, and feminist values manifests the role of creativity in societal transformation.

Ono's avant-garde approach in her career, like her integration of multimedia elements, not only provokes thought but also invites audience engagement. This unique methodology became apparent in collaborations with artists such as John Lennon, her late husband, where her art has been an essential tool in fostering love over violence. One of her most provocative works, "Cut Piece," performed in 1964, invited audiences to cut her clothing, symbolizing vulnerability and a poignant critique of gender inequality.

Yoko Ono's emphasis on peace often dovetails with potent feminist themes, making her an essential voice in both her artwork and public advocacy. Her influence stretches beyond mere convention breaking; she actively engages audiences with crucial issues like feminism and pacifism.

Her contributions, including tireless advocacy for global harmony and boundary-pushing artworks infused with progressive ideas, cement Yoko Ono's position as one of the most consequential artists of our era. Her impact has been recognized with numerous awards, such as the Oskar Kokoschka Prize in 2012, reflecting her lasting significance in the art world.

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In the words of Yoko Ono:
A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.
Reality can be elastic, and I want to see how elastic it can be, you know?
Society tells you that when you're old you have to retire. You have to defy that.
What we do really affects the world. Most of us think we can't do anything, but it really isn't true.
Distance doesn't exist, in fact, and neither does time. Vibrations from love or music can be felt everywhere, at all times.
When you are totally depressed, you should try giggling. Just make yourself laugh. Force yourself to laugh.
A lot of things have been thrown at me in life, and I've got through it all without a rule book, taking it one day at a time.
I relate to happiness as an ecstatic moment - something you don't create, you encounter.
I just go with the flow, so any style can be in my music - that makes it exciting.
The nice thing about the gallery shows is that without having to pay any money you can just go and see it.
Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you'll start to see a big difference in your life.
Everybody's an artist. Everybody's God. It's just that they're inhibited.
People don't remember each tree in a park but all of us benefit from the trees. And in a way, artists are like trees in a park.
Remember, each one of us has the power to change the world. Just start thinking peace, and the message will spread quicker than you think.
Energy is so important. If you don't have it, don't bother with rock and roll.
There's a long life ahead of you and it's going to be beautiful, as long as you keep loving and hugging each other.
Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring.
Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90. Time is a concept that humans created.
Look at yourself in the mirror and don't be afraid to notice how beautiful you are.
When you are feeling bad, do one thing a day to make your heart dance. It could be a simple thing like looking up at the sky.
Try to say nothing negative about anybody for three days, for forty-five days, for three months. See what happens to your life.
All my life, I have been in love with the sky. Even when everything was falling apart around me, the sky was always there for me.
Most people think that I am too optimistic, but my optimism is based on the thought that negative thinking is a luxury that we can't afford.
Anger is an emotion that is very energetic. It is an ideal emotion to turn it around to make it work as a positive force.
Dance in your dream. Go out into the street and hug everyone you meet. Tell them how beautiful they are. Dance together.
Transform jealousy to admiration, and what you admire will become part of your life.
We get shy about saying things like I love you. Life is so short. It's crazy, that we hesitate to express our true thoughts to each other.
Don't ever give up on life. Life can be so beautiful, especially after you've spent a lot of time with it.
Give peace a chance and let's hope that one day we will all live in peace.
When you go through a negative situation, don’t think about it. Make it positive.
We are all dreamers creating the next world, the next beautiful world for ourselves and for our children.
Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative, you can get beyond your pain or negativity.
See what you can do. See what you want to do. See what you will do about it. Find your way out.
Unclog your mind. Unclog your room. Arrange your room in a way you wish your mind would be.
Remember love. Remember our hearts are one. Even when we are fighting with each other, our hearts are beating in unison. I love you.
Everyone is an artist and a genius, I think. If we don't choose to limit ourselves then we are totally accomplished.
And the more you are active about something you love, the world is going to be a better place.
Music is something that even when you close your eyes it gets into your body.
Look at a star in the sky not as something unreachable but as a planet you would visit one day.
Imagine a dolphin dancing in the sky. Let it dance with joy. Think of yourself at the bottom of the ocean watching.
We are never alone. We are all aspects of one great being. No matter how far apart we are, the air links us.
Life keeps getting better. If anything, you start to carry a certain pride in having survived all those years.
Think of the Earth as a turning point in eternity. Think of the Earth as a meeting point in infinity.
I think people place limitations on each other and on ourselves. There is a great fear of expressing ourselves, of making creativity happen.
Real success is doing things right every day by not forgetting to express love to your friends.
Tell the Earth how much you care, how beautiful she is, and how much you love her. Ask for her forgiveness for having been so careless.
Keep going until your efforts start to make things better in your hometown.
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