The internet had a morality meltdown last October when it was revealed that Kurt Cobain would be dropping a posthumous album. Kurt Cobain — Montage of Heck: The Home Recordings — the official soundtrack to Brett Morgen’s Montage of Heckdocumentary — was officially released in November to a slew of lukewarm reviews and heated think pieces. Posthumous releases often spark the morality debate, not to mention lawsuits and family feuds. One man who has a wealth of experience navigating these murky waters is Jeff Jampol. Jampol runs a company that manages the estates of dead musicians including Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and the Ramones. The newest client on his roster is Kurt Cobain, who apparently had quite a nice collection of personal artwork. Jampol is now meeting with Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain to turn those works into a traveling exhibition.
Cobain had “some amazing canvases that a lot of the world has never seen or even heard of,” Jampol revealed to the New York Times, adding that the late legend’s work is “going to be relevant for centuries.” Whether you’re on Team Excitement or Team Exploitation regarding the posthumous release of the former Nirvana frontman’s art — be it musical or oil painted — it’s clear the argument for keeping it locked away is becoming increasingly less compelling. Since Cobain’s death in 1994, everything from his journals to his cardigans have been crossed of the Cobain estate’s list of private assets. And by the sound of it, the art is really, really good.
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Photography Ron Galella via Getty Images