See Kurt Cobain’s Most-Prized Possessions in New Show at KM Fine Arts

There are very few people whose personal possessions—mundane things like cassette tapes, a beat-up sneaker, and an old suitcase—could inspire such interest from so many when rendered so modestly, but Kurt Cobain is definitely one of those figures.

Since his death 22 years ago, the Nirvana frontman’s legacy has endured, even as an interest in grunge has mostly evaporated. In 2008, photographer Geoff Moore got the opportunity to shoot objects from a tightly-guarded vault of the singer’s personal affects for the book Cobain Unseen.

Beginning February 11, KM Fine Arts Los Angeles will display the images for the first time in a gallery setting, alongside several of Moore’s black-and-white portraits.

The photographs also feature subtle references to Nirvana’s oeuvre, such as a heart-shaped box filled with broken rosaries. There are also several images of Cobain’s mangled guitars, scuffed by pick marks and marked by stickers.

Moore, a self-taught artist and film director working in Los Angeles, was recently featured in a benefit exhibition for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music curated by Dana Louise Kirkpatrick, Flea, and Gagosian director Deborah McCleod.

See images of the works below.

Geoff Moore, Heart Shaped Box.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Kurt’s Guitar.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Kurt’s Journals.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Madonna Box.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Marionette.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Nightstand.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Nixon Now.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Smashed Guitar.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, Tapes.
Photo: KM Fine Arts.

Geoff Moore, “Endorsement” will be on display at KM Fine Arts Los Angeles from February 11–March 26, 2016.