Unseen Beatles art on show

Perfect harmony: McCartney and Lennon

John Lennon and Paul McCartney have been reunited in a special exhibition of previously unseen artwork.

The Beatles' contributions form the centrepiece of the show in their native Liverpool, put together by famed pop artist Peter Blake.

Blake, who designed the legendary Sgt Pepper's album cover, approached the city's Tate Gallery with the idea for a display of collages.

Lennon's work, on-loan from a private collection, dates back to his days as an art student and includes a portrait of Dr Zhivago star Julie Christie.

McCartney's main offering is a collage created specially for the exhibition, entitled The World.

Sir Paul McCartney returns to the Cavern Club

Shaped like a cross, it depicts a series of images, including a murdered figure, a screaming man and a photograph of a child.

He has also put together a collection of non-musical listening material, some of which was recorded at his Cavern Club gig last December.

Blake's exhibition, entitled About Collage, opens on Friday and will run for a year.

Other works include two pieces from Robbie Williams, which were inspired by Blake, the original designs for Paul Weller's Stanley Road album, plus the Live Aid poster.

Blake fan: Robbie Williams

Blake borrowed artwork from other Tate-owned collections, as well as his own, and The Beatles theme is completed by relics from the set for the Sgt Pepper's sleeve.

News of the exhibition comes a few days after the three surviving Beatles - McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - confirmed they are writing a joint autobiography, which is due to go on sale in the autumn.