Jackson Pollock’s ‘Blue Poles’ to debut in Western Australia

Jackson Pollock’s iconic 1952 abstract expressionist painting, ‘Blue Poles’, will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) from April to September 2027. This marks the first time the masterpiece will be shown in Western Australia.

The free exhibition is part of the Australian Government’s ‘Sharing the National Collection’ program, a government initiative designed to make prized artworks from the National Gallery of Australia more accessible to regional and rural areas. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the move ensures the west can enjoy the work, which he described as an ‘important part of our national story.’

Originally titled ‘Number 11, 1952’, the work is famous for its poured-paint technique and features eight blue-black vertical forms. The painting was acquired by the Australian Government in 1973 for $1.3 million, a record price at the time that sparked significant national debate. Today, the artwork is valued at over $500 million and is the most viewed piece in the National Gallery of Australia’s history.