John Lennon statue to be unveiled in Liverpool

A monument honouring John Lennon is to be unveiled in Liverpool in October 2010.

The 18ft artwork, titled Peace & Harmony, has been commissioned by the California-based Global Peace Initiative, and is to be created by 19-year-old artist Lauren Voiers. It will be unveiled by Julian Lennon as part of the city’s two-month commemmoration of the former Beatle.

Voiers has agreed to incorporate a white feather into the monument’s design, following a request from Julian Lennon. The feather is to symbolise peace and his father’s spirit.

I’m excited to have been asked to create a Global Peace Initiative monument dedicated to John Lennon. Much of my artwork is greatly influenced by the ideals of peace and harmony among all people of the world and I believe music is the soul of peace. It’s truly an honour to spread a message of peace across Europe through my sculpture. The fact it will be located in Liverpool, the home town of such a music legend, is a great thrill for me personally.

It has also been announced that Lennon Remembered, the John Lennon tribute concert scheduled for 9 December at Liverpool’s Echo Arena will feature artwork by artist Shannon McDonald.

An updated version of her 1997 work The Seven Faces Of John Lennon will feature as the concert’s backdrop, and will incorporate two new portraits along with images of Liverpool’s Liver Building and New York City’s Dakota Building.