Erotic artworks by Lennon allowed for show

It is not just the late John Lennon's music that lives on

Erotic works of art by John Lennon, banned nearly 30 years ago for being too explicit, are to go on display again in Britain.

The seven lithographs, part of the late John Lennon's Bag One portfolio, are to be shown at the London's Gallery 27 from 1 September.

They will feature alongside work by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and jazz legend Miles Davis.

Lennon's works were seized by Scotland Yard officers in January 1970 when they originally went on show because of their erotic content.

Yoko Ono, the main subject of Lennon's works

The pictures celebrate the late Beatle's star's marriage to Yoko Ono, their honeymoon and the infamous Amsterdam "bed in", which was a massive love-in to support world peace.

The lithographs are to go on sale and are expected to fetch around £3,500 each.

Pop art

John Lennon's works are on show as part of the Musicians As Artists exhibition, compiled by artist and musician Jonathan Poole.

The Beatles: one of the most successful bands ever

Lennon himself was an accomplished artist, having studied at the Liverpool Art Institute in the late 1950s.

While part of the hugely successful Beatles, Lennon continued to pursue his artwork, writing and illustrating three books: In His Own Write, A Spaniard In The Works and Sky Writing By Word Of Mouth. He was shot dead in 1980.

Keith Richards, centre, is still part of the Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones's Ronnie Wood was also an art student, training at Ealing Art College during the 1960s.

His contribution to the exhibition includes 16 prints of famous faces, including the Rolling Stones during their 1996 Voodoo Lounge Tour, Eric Clapton and Marvin Gaye.

Jazz musician Miles Davis entered into the art world in 1980, inspired by the Memphis movement which used bright colours and a mixture of shapes.

The exhibition also shows the work of Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres, whose work has received international acclaim.