Jackson Pollock: Blue poles

Documentary directed by Alison Chernick
The last monumental abstract painting by American artist Jackson Pollock, 'Blue poles' 1952 became part of Australia’s emerging national art collection in 1973 amid much controversy. Painted four years before the artist’s death in 1956, the purchase price of US$2 million (then equivalent to A$1.3 million) set a new record for Pollock and was, at the time, the most expensive American painting ever sold.
This new documentary looks beyond the sensationalism of the global headlines of the day, exploring how the purchase of this masterpiece heralded a new era of art in Australia, positioning the national collection on an international field and contributing immeasurably to Australia’s cultural heritage.
The documentary highlights the enduring legacy that the late Ben Heller, art dealer and close friend of Pollock, leaves to the people of Australia through his role in the acquisition of 'Blue poles' by the National Gallery of Australia. “If you think of what Jackson did, he has made this museum. In this case, a nation’s life…”
This defining moment also owed much to the late James Mollison, the inaugural director of the National Gallery of Australia, whose brave and insightful acquisition helped change the cultural trajectory of a nation. “It is certainly, perhaps, the most important American picture - perhaps in all time.”

[@onemorechris]

71 years later, (some) people are still deeply challenged by artwork like this. not for the price, but simply that exists at all.

[@animula6908]

I’m surprised artists are so into it. To me, the obvious appeal is a big colorful piece for decorating flexibly. I totally get why that’s appealing to put in public. Deep discussions of meaning kind of defeat the purpose, from that point of view.

[@schmitkeoriginals]

​@@animula6908"I am nature" Pollock is an OG!!! 💯💯💯

[@malcolmgully2064]

A masterpiece privileged to bring my kids to see it as we lived in Canberra. You walked into the gallery and turned around and there it was , watching you. They got it.

[@Poohze01]

I was a schoolboy when Blue Poles was purchased by the National Gallery, and remember the controversy well. We went on an excursion to Canberra not long after, and I got to see it in person. I've been in love with it ever since. Thanks for the retrospective!

[@SHAZZAH2107]

I thought the same

[@jamestulk5111]

Worth $350 million now.

[@Poohze01]

@@jamestulk5111 Priceless, really, if that word has any meaning in the art world.

[@unon735]

That's so nice to hear❤

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Me, too! It did so much for this nation, put us on a global art map. The secondary and tertiary income is billions. And there it is for us to see.

[@dansmith4984]

Really great documentary. Having seen blue poles I thought it was amazing. The density of the paint between the poles is like a spiders web. Epic

[@pederfuglpedersen9091]

great video💯💯

[@FiloCreww]

Great documentary

[@dees9502]

Well done. Thank you 🙏

[@ingridllinas5612]

Love the documentary. I particularly not a fan of him, but it is quit surprising that listening to all the information about his technique, energy and way of thinking T that time when Picasso dominated the scene, i ended liking this painting particularly. It is not just about seeing but comprehending what moves an artist in his own way. I mean as a way of expression. Looking at Rothko’s Stella and more paintings that the collector had was stunning. What a great collection. Sometimes arguments are had to deal with, not everybody thinks the same way, but there are progressive and adventurous mind. Hopefully! Indeed you own a master in Abstract Expressionism! An American Treasure in a great Nation. Thank you.

[@KimBTown]

It’s the spatter. It’s visceral- sublime.

[@bobbytaw1356]

Pollock painting is lovely 😍 Always make me smile 😁

[@sirbantzalot]

you can stop lying to yourself....

[@stevenhanson6057]

“How should one look at a Pollack painting?” “With one’s mind closed.”

[@georgeedward1226]

The painting has made its money back for Australia over the years in all the visitors who made the trip to see the painting in person.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Many times over.

[@tomcrockett7941]

The process is part of the art. The photographs of his process is part of the art.

[@dees9502]

Very well put 👍

[@carmenmarryshow3164]

Wonderful Master of Abstract Technic

[@Sophia1a1]

This story could become a great movie one day.

[@shanesydney127]

When the speak of the future 100 years from now 200 years no one artist ever said what will happen to beautiful paintings of the past. Cryogenically in freeze ? is that not another artform of itself. To the great men & women of the future ....

[@edwardferry8247]

The National Gallery and government were bang on. 👏 Hughes at his peak was a brilliant critic. Cézanne would have loved it, one can almost see his final bathers evolving in Blue Poles. 🙌

[@lynnblack6493]

Well I really want to get back to Canberra and this time visit the gallery. Blue Poles is beautiful!

[@unon735]

Beautiful movie❤

[@gregwing6409]

Terrific! Thank you for producing this short video on Blue Poles. Cheers- Greg. Clifton Park, N.Y. USA

[@401xyz]

I immediately thought of barbed wire and the 1st WW trenches. In front of the real thing, he is the real thing. This is video.

[@joycefroney6162]

The Master!

[@Nullabore]

I applaud our Government for having artistic forethought in purchasing one of the great modern paintings at a price I consider to be a steal

[@denaredford6701]

I like how his work is ageless ,and yes priceless .😊

[@sirbantzalot]

please stop lying

[@ariadneschild8460]

Pollack broke the mould, I find his brushless technique so exciting and his choice of colour soothing.

[@oikkuoek]

There is art, modern and classical, and then there is Pollock. And mimics of Pollock. The difference is in the feel when your hairs start to rise. You don't have to, and it's even better if you don't know anything about art. You'll still feel it. The pile of rubble, a self portrait, basic shapes, something merky, and then.. Pollock. Something totally different. I can feel the pain in Mr. Hellers thoughts when he recalled his apartment before dismanteling his collection.

[@ariadneschild8460]

I feel bad for Mr Heller too, having to sell that painting would be pretty hard . It's obvious he missed Blue Poles .

[@skylarkportraitstudio]

Pollock wasn't different. He was a natural outgrowth of what was happening around him. " ... and then ... Pollock ..." well no, not even. Many of us want to believe in one-offs, but they don't exist. Even Krasner didn't peddle this twaddle. Pollock returned to figuration in the end because he saw that the 'big empty' was just that. Cody boys know a crock of shit when they find themselves standing in it. Alas he couldn't find his way-out and returned to boozing.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Beautifully written

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

@@skylarkportraitstudioit isn’t twaddle merely because you don’t agree. Try an actual engagement.

[@skylarkportraitstudio]

@@lizziebkennedy7505 Twaddle is what it is. I don't need to agree or disagree with it to see it as twaddle.

[@Johnconno]

Pollock and Brando have always sounded like each other.

[@latenightlogic]

Blue Poles. It essentially is priceless. I’ve heard ball park figures of around 350 million and of course at that price it’s open season, the sky’s the limit.

[@skylarkportraitstudio]

Blue skies and ball parks. A very American comment. Priceless.

[@latenightlogic]

@@skylarkportraitstudio I’ve reread that 5 times and I’m no closer to understanding what it means.

[@skylarkportraitstudio]

@@latenightlogic “The sky’s the limit.” Exactly what an AbEx icon would have said about his own limitless limitations. Who’d thunk a lacemaker would come outta our own Cody? Not me. I’m all outta apple pies but I got all the blue skies and ball parks you could dream of. 5 million for a big ole lace doily is a deal made in old maid heaven. My God, that was a man, wasn’t he?

[@latenightlogic]

@@skylarkportraitstudio ok, I’m slowly going to back away. I’m not making any sudden moves, I’m going to ease backwards and walk away, everything is ok. Everything will be fine

[@skylarkportraitstudio]

@@latenightlogic All pollocked out today. Blue Poles was a steal at any price. One of a kinds are hard to find. Benson’s kid did good.

[@mikeschneider901]

I've seen a lot of Polack paintings. IMHO he was first and foremost a calligrapher. Look at his (less popular) work after the drip period.

[@carlosmares425]

Make way,MAKE WAY!!!!!! 'n he did.

[@nickwolterman2137]

This is a badass painting, but for the record, "the financial" is not "a record of world opinion." It's at best a record of the opinion of the cultured middle and upper classes.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

It is what Sotheby’s and Christie’s tell us based on doing that: selling renowned art.

[@tomcrockett7941]

Does anyone know his blue and yellow and black”what is it called? Thanks

[@braksuper]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@tomcrockett7941]

I studied under pollock. No s/)t my high school art teacher was named pollock. Lol

[@401xyz]

In any case it's always geo-economico-politico and the powers that be had to shift the scene post war from France/Europe to America.

[@virgogaming6488]

Pollock's paintings are like a deconstruction of art.

[@carmenmarryshow3164]

My admiration for Pollock been his an American me Venezuelan not Russia

[@madiola1234]

the guy who bought the pollock painting went on and on but didn't actually say he liked the painting..lol

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Huh?

[@knowwankeno1de1witdelongna85]

I don’t get it at all LOL!!! Laughable that paint on a canvas looking like ass becomes millions of bucks. Lmao!! F all this

[@sirbantzalot]

agreed, its a lie these people want to believe in. it makes them feel important.. but we can all see that Pollock is no artist , but a fraud.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

That you don’t get it has nothing to do with the art. Your ego is out of control

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

@@sirbantzalotwow. You are hollow.

[@knowwankeno1de1witdelongna85]

@@sirbantzalot I agree with this statement. Pollock is Bollocks 😭😂😭😭😂😂😂😂😂

[@sirbantzalot]

​@@lizziebkennedy7505 Lizzie , sorry to shatter your whole world., Modern Art was a racket to launder money and an attempt at defiling true European Classic art. The media is the promotional platform for the BS they need you dummies to latch onto. you are a consumer of made up NaRRATIVES. Stop being a bystander and use that noodle between your ears, it will help clarify a few things for you.

[@itsyunggrave]

that nearly a week to dry for each layer comment is bollocks

[@robertwalker2052]

It could be worth $50 million now (2021).

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

A$350m. It’s been estimated by the major art auction houses

[@daltjacob4687]

Good grief, such a entertaining doc but nearly spoiled by Jerry Saltz who is the WORST!

[@gregdahlen4375]

wonder what pollock would have done with rock n roll lol

[@timsimmons7916]

He said, "contrived," I say, BS.

[@SomeHarbourBastard]

"Now what Pollock has done is liberated himself from traditional aesthetics and techniques. In effect, creating a big fucking pile of shit."

[@Moodboard39]

Lol 🤣 drip paint 😂

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

No. Your ignorance is blocking you. I5 must really trigger you, to put your ignorance up in lights like that.

[@reddiver7293]

Except for the complex, intellectual brilliance of their painting, just a bunch of moody, cantankerous drunks. The effects of alcohol are demeaning.

[@reinarforeman6518]

" Australia did not want to see itself as a white bastion in a yellow world".... yikes 😬

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

We had just ended the white Australia policy when Whitlam bought this. It was less than a decade later.

[@NewSymbolist-qt6oi]

This is slogan nonsense nothing to do with Pollack or Art.

[@autofocus4556]

The man who inspired all the worthless tik tok spinning bucket painters.

[@jjpadrones4718]

all i can hear is just an excuse for a level zero painting in terms of fine/classical art,, pollock and other abstract whatever painters are just lazy to study fine/classical art,, they just cant draw in the level of leonardo or a michaelangelo, so they are just making excuses, excuses , excuses...

[@NewSymbolist-qt6oi]

Thats not true lies and lies Polack was a story these idiots ignore Theosophy etc.

[@stevennowachek2657]

Crap it's all crap

[@moncorp1]

90+% of modern "art" is pure garbage. Look no further than Pollock, Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko. What they call art is just pure fraud.

[@Driecnk]

@@moncorp1 Really

[@markborder906]

@@moncorp1 Three of the greatest artists ever.

[@carlos66965]

@@moncorp1 Or the more reasonable approach, is that YOU specifically just don't like their stuff.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Says a nobody

[@HanoiHustler]

I got paid by the CIA?

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

They wasted their money on you.

[@JimGorm]

beyond cringe