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Beatles fans eye return of artwork
13/07/2011

A historic piece of pop art, once belonging to the late John Lennon, has been returned to its owners 24 years after it went missing.

The artwork, referred to as the “Psychedelic Eye” (the Eye), was personally designed by Lennon when he lived at his Kenwood home in Surrey with Cynthia and Julian. During his time at Kenwood Lennon recorded some of his most famous work and it was also at such residence that his relationship with Yoko Ono developed. The Eye consists of over 17,000 small mosaic tiles, each measuring three quarter inch and was previously located at the end of his swimming pool. The overall size of the Eye measures 15 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 8 inches.

A Swedish entrepreneur and his wife, who are keen art collectors, purchased Kenwood in the early 1980s. When observing the Eye on the far side of the pool they realised that this was one of the most important pieces of pop art of its generation and they set about preserving it for the future.

In 1985, with the help of their friend and co-owner of the artwork, Bernard Cochrane, a music/television producer, they arranged for the Eye to be loaned to the Beatles City Exhibition at the Liverpool Garden Festival for all to enjoy. In preparation, each tile was painstakingly dismantled and the mosaic reconstructed onto a giant frame specifically designed to display this unique piece of artwork. It was then transported to Liverpool at their own expense. The transportation of such an artifact generated significant publicity both locally and nationally at the time.

Unfortunately, after the festival ended in 1987 the Eye was supposed to be transported to an alternative location where the owners believed it remained for the enjoyment of others. However, the Eye never actually reached its destination. Upon discovering that the Eye was missing in 2005 the owners set about investigating its whereabouts. After almost 6 years of painstaking enquiries and with the help of the local media, the owners tracked down the missing Eye to a man on the Wirral. He had discovered it after being asked to clear up the Festival site as part of the reclamation process when it ended. After securing an amicable settlement with the individual, the rightful owners were finally reunited with it after all this time.

Solicitor, Joseph Walsh of leading North West law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, who advised the owners, said: “It is certainly the most unusual matter I have been instructed to act upon. To finally reunite the “Psychedelic Eye” with its rightful owners was most rewarding. I have worked on this matter now for some time and have got to know my clients relatively well during this period. I can honestly say it was a pleasure to see the delight on their faces when they finally took possession.”

Bernard Cochrane added: “Without doubt, it is one of the most important pieces of pop art this country has known and deserves to be displayed in its full glory for all to enjoy.”

It is now their intention to restore the Eye and eventually display it for all to see in the near future.


For further information contact Joseph Walsh at Brabners Chaffe Street on 0151 600 3064

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