In Tokyo 1966, The Beatles create Images of a Woman, the only known painting they ever made.

It’s amazing to think that this incredible, abstract composition was painted by the ‘Fab Four’ simply to pass the time. Flying in at the height of Beatlemania, The Beatles arrived in Tokyo ready to play five concerts at the Budokan, Japan’s premier martial arts arena. Because of security fears for the band’s safety and protests against their intrusion into such an iconic Japanese venue, all four were kept on lockdown inside the Tokyo Hilton between shows. To keep them entertained, manager Brian Epstein brought in a set of art supplies, laid a large paper canvas on a table and placed a lamp in the centre. He then left four of the most famous men in the world to get creative.

Inspired by Images of a Woman, ART IN A CORNER has invited some of the world’s biggest bands and solo-artists to follow in The Beatles’ footsteps to create their own Images of… paintings.

Each participating group received a special ART IN A CORNER art kit – supplied by art specialists Cass Art – containing materials matching those used by The Beatles in 1966.

The completed paintings will be brought together for a series of special exhibitions. Featured artwork will also include backstage images from The Beatles’ time in Japan, captured by renowned British photographer Robert Whitaker, as well as limited edition project prints and posters, produced in collaboration with the ART IN A CORNER participants.

THE ART IN A CORNER paintings will be shown in a series of exhibitions across the UK – held throughout September and October, 2016 – before being sold in support of two of the country’s leading arts and music charities.