Culture
16 Oct 26

Joni Mitchell publishes book of paintings as her "protest song"

Joni Mitchell.

The folk singer said she was returning to her "first love", painting.

Joni Mitchell has announced the release of a book of her paintings, NEWS, on November 4. She describes the artwork as a return to her love of painting and a fulfillment of her duty to use her voice as an artist.

“NEWS is my protest song — a song not for the ears, but for the eyes", reads Mitchell's text on the book's back cover. "I hope that you will not be offended by the truth of it.”

The paintings are reportedly a response to the 24-hour news cycle and current events in the United States, where Mitchell has lived since 1965.

The 82-year-old from Canada gained American citizenship on Tuesday. She has previously said she wishes she could vote and loves the song 'Fuck Donald Trump'.

“When [George W.] Bush was president and the Twin Towers in New York were attacked, I did a series of political paintings. In the current climate, I felt a need to express my concern. It is an artist’s duty to speak up,” she wrote.

Mitchell will sign and number 500 copies, of which the first ten will be auctioned, with proceeds going toward the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Save the Children and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

The paintings in NEWS will also be displayed at the Los Angeles Louver gallery later this month.

Mitchell has long had an interest in painting, illustrating the album covers of Song to a Seagull, Clouds, Court and Spark, Mingus, Turbulent Indigo and Both Sides Now.

The book is available for pre-order here.