Jeffrey Perkins
In 1963 artist-cum-soldier Jeff Perkins was stationed by the US Air Force in Japan. This led to a chance friendship with Yoko Ono and his association over the ensuing decades with Ono, John Lennon, George Maciunas, Nam June Paik and the Fluxus Art Movement. After moving to Los Angeles in the late-60s, Perkins worked for the Fox Venice Theater, managed Cinematheque 16, and co-founded the psychedelic light show group Single Wing Turquoise Bird – who performed with the Velvet Underground, Yardbirds, Cream, Sly and the Family Stone amongst others.
It was also in Los Angeles that he developed a creative relationship with the Abstract Expressionist painter Sam Francis.