Rolling Stone
On Tuesday, Joni Mitchell officially obtained her dual citizenship in the United States and Canada, marking 62 years since she first resided in the U.S. "I became a citizen so I could vote," Mitchell shared with Rolling Stone. "I'm a proud Canerican like Neil Young." This statement reflects her connection to fellow musician Neil Young, who gained U.S. citizenship in 2020, 54 years after entering the country under unconventional circumstances.
With her new American status, Mitchell is poised to embark on a significant project. On November 4, just three days before her 83rd birthday, she will unveil NEWS, a compilation of 23 political paintings that reflect her response to the relentless 24-hour news cycle. A dedicated painter throughout her life, Mitchell independently conceived, executed, and designed this project, integrating song lyrics, images, and slogans.
"Recently I retired from music in order to pursue my first love, painting," reads the back cover of NEWS. "When George Bush was president and the Twin Towers in New York were attacked, I created a series of political paintings. In today's climate, I felt compelled to express my concerns. It is the duty of an artist to raise their voice."
Mitchell elaborated, drawing parallels between her work and that of notable artists throughout history: "Picasso created 'Guernica' in protest of the Spanish Civil War. Charlie Chaplin's film The Great Dictator mocked Hitler. Mel Brooks' comedy The Producers similarly took aim at that tyrant with Springtime for Hitler. NEWS serves as my protest song — not for the ears, but for the eyes. I hope that the truth conveyed within does not offend you. This is not fake news!"
NEWS will be available in both a standard edition and a limited run of 500 hand-numbered and signed editions, which can be ordered through Mitchell’s website and Julien's Publishing, with preorders starting on October 15 at 10 a.m. ET. Furthermore, Julien’s will facilitate an exclusive auction titled NEWS: Numbered, Signed & Personalized, offering book numbers one through ten. This auction is set to run from October 15 to October 29, with all proceeds benefiting charitable organizations including the ACLU, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Save The Children, and ASPCA.
Additionally, the paintings featured in NEWS will be on exhibit at the L.A. Louver gallery in Venice, California, on October 29 and 30.
NEWS follows Mitchell's previous work, 2019's Morning Glory on the Vine, which comprised watercolor paintings, handwritten lyrics, and poems, named after a lyric from Young's classic song "Motion Pictures (For Carrie)." Remarkably, next month will also mark the 50th anniversary of Mitchell's acclaimed album Hejira.
Share this story