Royal College of Music Special Exhibitions
Kurt Cobain Unplugged
Dates: June - November 2025
Overview:
The exhibition, at the Royal College of Music Museum, reunited Kurt Cobain’s guitar with his famous olive-green mohair cardigan, worn during the MTV Unplugged performance, marking the first time these two legendary items have been displayed together.
Visitors to the exhibition saw up close Cobain’s rare Martin D-18E guitar, uniquely adapted for his left-handed play, shaping the unmistakeable sound that defined Nirvana’s music. In 2020, it became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, bought for over $6 million by Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM. Thorough condition assessments were completed for the guitar, guitar case, memorabilia, and cardigan. As lead conservator, all mounting, documentation, installation, and deinstallation was undertaken.
