Yoko Ono designs coffee cup line inspired by tragedies

This image released by Illy North America shows a collection of espresso cups and saucers called, Yoko Ono: Mended Cups - illy Art Collection, featuring the dates and places of six tragic events written in Ono's handwriting. (AP / Illy North America, Lou Manna)

LOS ANGELES - Yoko Ono is expressing herself through espresso cups.

The artist and widow of John Lennon has designed a collection of cups and saucers featuring the dates and places of six tragic events written in Ono's handwriting, such as the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 and the day Lennon was shot and killed in 1980. A seventh cup appears untouched to represent hope.

The collection is titled "Yoko Ono: Mended Cups - illy Art Collection" and is inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese technique of repairing cracked pottery with brushstrokes of gold.

The line is being released alongside Ono's upcoming show at the Museum of Modern Art.

Other artists who have previously designed cups and saucers for illy include Jeff Koons, Pedro Almodovar, Robert Rauschenberg, Julian Schnabel and David Byrne.