YESTERDAY, THE MUSEUM of Style Icons in Co Kildare welcomed three members of the late Kurt Cobain’s family to the opening of the ‘Growing Up Kurt Cobain‘ exhibition in Newbridge.

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His daughter, Frances, his sister Kim and his mother Wendy discussed the importance of the exhibition, which features many of the performer’s personal possessions from childhood and adolescence.

Before taking his own life in April 1994, 27-year-old Kurt battled heroin addiction and struggled massively with the implications of his ascension to stardom with Nirvana, so his family are keen to remind the public that there existed lighter elements in the life of the Seattle singer.

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According to RTÉ, Kim spoke on behalf of her family, saying:

We just wanted to bring him back to where he came from and the person that he really was as a child and try to focus more on his art and him and to show people just how silly, goofy and sweet he was.

We want to bring focus back to the light-heartedness and happiness that he had in his life and not focus on all the negative crap that happened later.

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Of the exhibition which features childhood footage, handwritten lyrics and the singer’s drawings, his mother said it will provide fans an insight into the singer’s psyche in the years that preceded his fame.

I think it shows who he really was, the real person inside before he got famous.

Kurt, who died three days before Nirvana were due to play Dublin’s RDS Arena, was said to have enjoyed a special affinity with Ireland, and it has been established that his ancestors emigrated from Carrickmore in Co Tyrone in 1875.

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While it was Kim, Wendy and Frances’ first trip to Ireland, his relatives reminded those present that Kurt had visited during his time with Nirvana, and is said to have been inspired by the country.

I know he really enjoyed it here, he did come and I think he was trying to look more into his roots and where he came from. I’m sure his Irish roots influenced his art.

The exhibition will run until September 30.

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