Remembering Kishin Shinoyama, who took the last photos of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, three months before the iconic singers passing
The world of photography mourns the loss of a true visionary, Kishin Shinoyama, who passed away on Thursday, January 4th, 2024.
Famed for his remarkable ability to capture raw and intimate portraits, Shinoyama leaves behind a legacy that includes some of the most iconic images of our time.
Shinoyama’s journey into the realm of photography began in 1968 when he embarked on a career as a freelance photographer.
His lens was drawn to the captivating personas of renowned figures such as Yukio Mishima, Momoe Yamaguchi, and Rie Miyazawa.
However, it was his collaboration with John Lennon and Yoko Ono that would etch his name into the annals of photographic history.
In 1980, Shinoyama spent five transformative days with the iconic couple in their private New York City apartment, immortalising the final moments of their personal and creative journey together.
The resulting photographs, now printed here by Taschen, Kishin Shinoyama. John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Double Fantasy stand as a testament to Shinoyama’s unparalleled access to the intimate lives of his subjects.
Among these images, one stands out prominently – the tender embrace of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, captured just three months before Lennon’s untimely demise.
This photograph would later become the cover of their 1980 album, “Double Fantasy.” Shinoyama, with a keen awareness of the ephemeral nature of time, crafted a visual narrative that went beyond mere documentation.
Describing the shoot as capturing “their happiest moment,” Shinoyama infused the images with an emotional depth that resonates with poignancy in the wake of Lennon’s tragic assassination. Yoko Ono herself has referred to these photographs as “images of my happiest time,” underscoring their significance in preserving a fleeting chapter of their shared existence.
In 2015, Shinoyama curated a collection of these evocative images in the book “Double Fantasy: John & Yoko.” The publication provides a broader glimpse into the couple’s private world, offering viewers a rare opportunity to witness the nuances of their relationship and the creative process that unfolded during those five fateful days.
Beyond the lens that captured the final moments of John Lennon’s life, Shinoyama’s career was an expansive canvas filled with portraits of famous artists, musicians, and everyday people. His work transcended the boundaries of conventional photography, melding new methods of expression with an innate sense of naturalism.
Yoko Ono, who took a brief hiatus from recording during those pivotal days, sought to document the intricacies of their life together. Shinoyama, with his ability to blend technical brilliance with emotional depth, provided a window into a world that now stands frozen in time – a world that encapsulates the joy, love, and creativity shared by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
As we bid farewell to Kishin Shinoyama, we celebrate not just a photographer but a storyteller who, through his lens, immortalized moments that will forever echo in the hearts of those who gaze upon his work.
