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Sandra Oh's Surprising Yoko Ono Encounter
1 May
Summary
- Oh initially saw Yoko Ono as a cultural slur.
- An artist's play inspired Oh to re-examine Ono's work.
- Oh met Ono in 2019 and asked to pose for a photo.
Sandra Oh has shared her journey of understanding and appreciating artist Yoko Ono. Growing up in Canada, Oh, like many of her generation, associated Ono's name with negative cultural portrayals, even considering it a slur against Asian women. This perception began to change when Oh encountered Jean Yoon's play, 'The Yoko Ono Project.'
The play prompted Oh to explore Ono's extensive body of work and exhibitions, leading to a significant shift in her understanding of Ono as a profound artist. This newfound respect culminated in a memorable meeting at an airport in 2019. Oh approached Ono humbly, expressing her gratitude for her contributions.
During their encounter, Oh requested permission to recreate Ono's famous bare-faced, long-haired photograph for an SNL promo. Ono agreed, a moment Oh found deeply meaningful, symbolizing the reclaiming of Ono's image and legacy. Oh has long admired Ono and expressed a desire to portray her in a future role.
