One of Kurt Cobain‘s most iconic instruments is about to go on display for the first time in Europe. The Royal College of Music London announced that its “Kurt Cobain Unplugged” exhibit — which opens on June 3 and runs through Nov. 18 — will feature the late Nirvana singer’s rare Martin D-18E guitar, which was uniquely adapted for left-handed play.
“Step into the world of Kurt Cobain and explore the legacy of Nirvana, a band that defined a generation. Explore their iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, one of Nirvana’s final televised appearances before Cobain’s death just five months later,” reads the copy for the exhibition, which notes that in 2020 the instrument became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction when Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman AM bought it for more than $6 million.
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The exhibition will reunite Cobain’s guitar with the equally famous olive-green mohair cardigan, which the singer/guitarist wore during the band’s Nov. 1993 performance on the show, with the two items going on display together for the first time ever.
“When I purchased this guitar, my intention was to have it begin a worldwide tour of exhibitions, to support performing artists,” Freedman said in a press release about his decision to loan the instrument out for the exhibit. “I am delighted that this intent will be premiered at the Royal College of Music, London, with the first exhibition of its kind and will support talented musicians worldwide.”
The exhibit is also encouraging families who visit to get creative and dress up and design their own guitars for a shot at playing some of Nirvana’s most iconic songs on Guitar Hero 5 at the gallery.