The collection will include items related to his iconic artistry, social activism and philanthropy, and it holds original creative works, photographs, instruments and other significant memorabilia.
IU President Pamela Whitten announced the news at the Mellencamp Symposium held recently on the IU Bloomington campus.
“John’s impact on music and American culture is immense,” said Whitten. “On behalf of Hoosiers everywhere, I am exceptionally proud of John’s lifelong association with IU and deeply grateful to him for selecting the university as the permanent home for his archives. His collection will be an incredible resource for arts scholars and a clear source of inspiration to our students. We are thrilled to honor him and celebrate his many contributions to music, art and IU.”
The donation of his archives was one of several announcements made at the one-of-a-kind symposium that brought academic scholars, music industry leaders, journalists and more to campus for a deep dive into the cultural and social impact of Mellencamp’s vast oeuvre. The day included interactive talks, panel discussions and a live interview with the Hoosier singer.
"Mellencamp has created an important body of work that has earned him both critical regard and an enormous audience," said Anthony DeCurtis, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine who was on hand to interview the rocker at the Mellencamp Symposium. "His songs document the joys and struggles of ordinary people seeking to make their way, and he has consistently brought the fresh air of common experience to the typically glamour-addled world of popular music."
Mellencamp began to paint earnestly in 1980, drawing inspiration for his artwork from the German Expressionism movement of the 20th century. His works of art have been featured in gallery exhibitions across the nation, and he recently released a coffee table art book featuring 170 original works entitled “John Mellencamp: American Paintings and Assemblages.”
A Bloomington resident whose music career spans more than four decades, Mellencamp kicked off his extensive Live and In Person 2023 North American tour at Indiana University Auditorium with two shows early last month.
Mellencamp’s latest studio album is 2022’s “Strictly A One-Eyed Jack”, which features multiple songs co-written with and featuring Bruce Springsteen; he also released a deluxe reissue of his 1985 album classic, “Scarecrow”, last fall.
Check out “Scarecrow Deluxe” here and a 2022 remix edition of the album here.
See also:
John Mellencamp streams unreleased Scarecrow track Smart Guys
John Mellencamp streams unreleased Scarecrow track Carolina Shag
John Mellencamp previews expanded Scarecrow reissue
John Mellencamp joined by Bruce Springsteen on new single Did You Say Such A Thing
Search John Mellencamp at hennemusic
