A Really Big Show

First, a quick introduction, and then all about the big show at Toucan that’s popping up on the weekend of June 12, 13, and 14.

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There are many widely shared assumptions with respect to art and the artworld and the art market—how it works, how it goes, how it’s supposed to be. But the anthropologist and anarchistic thinker, David Graeber, believed that widely shared assumptions are ripe for dismantling. In the foreword to a posthumous collection of his essays, the writer and activist, Rebecca Solnit, writes that Graeber, as both scholar and activist, himself, had what was essentially a “rallying cry,” which went like this: “It does not have to be this way.”

We have always tried to maintain the now 44-year tradition of a Toucan in Billings by continually massaging its existence, adapting to changing conditions, changing market forces, flying into persistent cultural and economic headwinds, etc., etc., all while not losing the essence of what this Toucan in Billings is, this company dedicated to art and beauty in this place, but out of place in this place, the same way an actual toucan would be in this urban outcropping on the high plains of North America. Toucan isn’t for everybody, but it’s for the people in these parts who want a colorful bird of unique personality, whether in the physical form of the gallery and studio or in the literary form of this newsletter (which continues to grow in subscribers) or whatever else we can conjure from the same spirit of David Graeber’s dismantling of assumptions.

In our continuing effort to contribute to the development of our community in the realm of art and culture and architecture and urbanity alike, then, we are on the verge of something new, something additional, something big, and I hate a tease as much as you do, and was going to announce it fully in this edition of the Toucan Substack, but before I can do that (which I will in the next edition, I promise), we have something else big and more pressing in the realm of Toucan-puts-up-a-show.

We’ve met a lot of people over the years and made a lot of connections. You talk and you do and you make and you make mistakes and you just keep beating your head against the wall of life and business and art and then somebody you worked with once, a guy named Scott Segelbaum on the east coast, sends you an email. His business is called Rock Art Show, and he had such a good experience working with us at Toucan previously (he was touring a show of artwork by one of the original Hanna-Barbera animators) that he wanted to work with us again…because he’s got a new show. He’s going to skip Billings if he can’t work with us, specifically, he says. Which I have to say, is good for the ego, but it’s maybe better for Billings.

What I’m saying is please come to this, because this is crazy.

May Pang, who was John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s assistant, was John’s mistress (at Yoko’s insistence, no less) during the infamous “Lost Weekend” period—which lasted longer than a weekend, actually, at a year and a half. If you’re a true fan, you probably know this story, if not, I’m going to paste Scott’s press release below, and let him tell you what’s going on.

This show has already been all around the country and now it’s Billings turn.

MAY PANG, JOHN LENNON’S COMPANION & LOVER DURING HIS “LOST WEEKEND” ERA TO SHOWCASE HER CANDID PHOTOS OF LENNON AT A SPECIAL THREE-DAY EXHIBITION AT TOUCAN GALLERY IN BILLINGS, MT, FRIDAY, JUNE 12 (4-7pm), SATURDAY, JUNE 13 (12-6pm), SUNDAY, JUNE 14 (12-4pm)

MAY PANG TO APPEAR AT SHOW ALL WEEKEND TO MEET CUSTOMERS

Few people knew John Lennon as intimately as May Pang. Pang was Lennon’s lover during the infamous “Lost Weekend” which lasted 18 months during late 1973 through 1975. During this highly creative time for Lennon, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

A collection of these private photographs will be on display and available for purchase at Toucan Gallery, 1002 2^nd Avenue North, Billings, MT on Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14. All works are available to purchase - See John Lennon as May saw him!

May Pang will be in attendance at Toucan Gallery all weekend, meeting customers and telling stories behind these amazing limited-edition photographs for sale of John Lennon.

During the Lost Weekend, with May’s help, Lennon had his most artistically and commercially productive period post-Beatles—with the albums “Mind Games”, “Walls and Bridges”, which included his only #1 Hit Single “Whatever Gets You Through the Night”, “Rock and Roll” and collaborations with Rock legends Elton John, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, and Ringo among others. Also, on that album Pang can be heard on the song “#9 Dream” where she whispers John’s name in the song. Another song on the album “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)” was written about Pang.

Pang also encouraged Lennon to reconnect with his family and his friends, which ultimately led to a reunion with Paul McCartney and a memorable jam session between the two Beatles. Pang also arranged for Julian Lennon to visit his father for the first time in almost three years. One of Pang’s photographs of Julian Lennon graces the cover of Julian’s latest album entitled “Jude.”

Lennon also went into the studio with friend Harry Nilsson during this time and produced his album “Pussy Cats.” It was during this time that Pang stayed in a rented house in Santa Monica with Lennon and fellow partiers Ringo Starr, Keith Moon (The Who) and Harry Nilsson. Several photos from this time also appear in the exhibition. Other highlights of the exhibition include the only photograph that exists of John Lennon signing the contract to dissolve the Beatles as well as one of the last known photographs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney together from March 29, 1974. Both photographs have never been available to the public until now.

Pang has also published three books on her times with Lennon including Loving John, John Lennon – The Lost Weekend, and Instamatic Karma featuring photos from her private archives.

“The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang” coincides with the digital release of the feature film documentary “The Lost Weekend : A Love Story,” produced by Briarcliff Entertainment. Watch the film’s trailer here: www.MayPangPhotography.com/lost-weekend-documentary (Available on Amazon Prime, AppleTV, YouTube. Xfinity, Verizon and Vudu).

“The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang” exhibition will provide fans a rare opportunity to see John Lennon in a new light, through the lens of someone who knew him intimately during one of the most creative periods of his life. Pang’s photos will be on display and available to purchase for three days only. Check out the show and meet May Pang at Toucan Gallery, 1002 2^nd Avenue North, Billings, MT, Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14, 2026.

WHO: May Pang, John Lennon’s lover and companion during the infamous “Lost Weekend” which took place late 1973 through 1975.

WHAT: A photographic exhibition and sale entitled “The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang”featuring candid photos of John Lennon and friends coinciding with the digital release of the feature film documentary on May Pang and John Lennon’s relationship “The Lost Weekend – A Love Story.”

WHEN: Friday, June 12 from 4p – 7p, Saturday, June 13 from 12p – 6p and Sunday, June 14 from 12p – 4p.

WHERE: Toucan Gallery, 1002 2^nd Avenue North, Billings, MT (406) 252-0122; www.toucanarts.com

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Like I said, please come share this unique experience with us! You probably don’t want to miss this opportunity!