SOUTHWEST HARBOR, MAINE — This weekend, the walls of Cygnet Gallery come alive with rarely-seen candid photographs of John Lennon, captured through the lens of someone who knew him best — May Pang, his former romantic partner.
“This is our 72nd stop in the U.S. over the past two years,” shared Nancy McKechnie, co-owner of the Cygnet Gallery. “Being selected to host this collection feels both surreal and deeply honoring.”
The collection highlights an era known as The Lost Weekend — a period between 1973 and 1975 when Lennon temporarily separated from Yoko Ono and lived a creatively charged life in Los Angeles and New York with Pang.
“For too long, others have told my story,” Pang explained during her visit to the gallery on Friday. “Now it’s my turn to reclaim it.”
Pang’s photos provide a glimpse into Lennon’s private world — relaxed, laughing, creating, and simply living. Her work challenges long-standing public assumptions about the former Beatle’s emotional and mental state during that time.
“There’s a myth that John was lost, depressed, and spiraling,” she said. “But when people see these photographs, they meet a different John — the one I knew.”
The exhibit aligns with the recent digital release of the critically praised documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, which chronicles Pang’s time with Lennon and offers a fresh perspective on the music icon’s lesser-known chapter.
Among the standout pieces is a photograph capturing one of the most pivotal moments in rock history: John Lennon signing the official agreement to dissolve The Beatles.
“I’m the only one who took a photo of that moment,” Pang said. “It’s an iconic piece, and I’m proud it’s being seen.”
Visitors to the Cygnet Gallery will find both framed and unframed prints available for purchase, with the exhibit running through Sunday.
Gallery manager Jessica Powers reflected on the exhibit’s impact: “Southwest Harbor has a rich art community, and welcoming someone as influential as May — with personal stories, legendary photographs, and a true connection to music history — has been a remarkable experience.”
