Blue Poles to Tour Australia for First Time in 20 Years, Heading to Perth
Next year, Jackson Pollock's renowned artwork Blue Poles will be temporarily displayed at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth for a six-month period. This marks the first time in over two decades that the National Gallery of Australia has lent the piece, which is valued at more than $500 million, and it will be transported with utmost security. This decision aligns with significant renovations taking place at the Canberra gallery. Acquired for $1.4 million in 1973 during Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's tenure, the painting ignited a cultural debate. Its journey included being lifted from a New York residence and transported aboard HMAS Melbourne. Director Nick Mitzevich confirmed its conservation status, while Colin Walker highlighted the exhibition's significance for West Australians. The loan was the result of more than five years of discussions.
Key facts
- Blue Poles will be loaned to the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth for a six-month exhibition next year.
- This is the first loan of Blue Poles from the National Gallery of Australia in more than 20 years.
- The painting's insurance value is more than $500 million.
- The transport details are kept secret for security reasons.
- Blue Poles was bought by the Australian government in 1973 for $1.4 million.
- The purchase sparked a culture war in Australia.
- The painting was previously hoisted via a pulley system from a 10th-floor apartment in New York.
- The loan is part of a program to tour major works from Australia's $6 billion national collection.
Entities
Artists
- Jackson Pollock
- Lee Krasner
- Ben Heller
- Gough Whitlam
- James Mollison
- Robert Hughes
- Tom Roberts
- Sidney Nolan
- John Brack
- Paul Hogan
- Ivor Francis
- Doug Anthony
- Patrick White
- David Wise
- Nick Mitzevich
- Colin Walker
- Tom McIlroy
- Pablo Picasso
Institutions
- National Gallery of Australia
- Art Gallery of Western Australia
- MoMA
- Tate
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Progressive Art Movement
- Hachette Australia
- Guardian Australia
- Washington Post
- HMAS Melbourne
Locations
- Canberra
- Australia
- Perth
- New York
- Adelaide
- Long Island
- Central Park
- Manuka
- Nullarbor
- United States
- Western Australia
- London