“Blue? Is that what they spent all that money on?”, a voice might have grumbled back in 1973. Right here, in the hallowed halls of the National Gallery of Australia, stands the “bent blue poles sculpture”. It’s not actually called that, of course. This, my friends, is a cheeky nod to Jackson Pollock’s “Blue Poles”. It’s one of the most talked-about artworks in Australian history, and you’re looking at a playful tribute to it. Now, “Blue Poles” itself isn’t actually a sculpture. It’s a painting. But its legacy is so big, it has inspired artists in all sorts of ways. The real “Blue Poles” caused quite a stir when the Australian government bought it for a record-breaking price. Some people thought it was a masterpiece. Others? Well, let’s just say they thought they could’ve done it themselves after a few too many drinks. Imagine the headlines, the debates in parliament, the arguments over backyard fences. This one painting, a riot of blue and black with those bold stripes cutting through, captured the imagination of the entire nation. And that, in a way, is what makes “Blue Poles” so fascinating. It’s not just paint on canvas; it’s a symbol of a nation grappling with its identity, its place in the world, and the power of art itself.
Kororoit Creek
Is this where the river meets the sea? This is Kororoit Creek. It flows right here through Melbourne’s western suburbs