Why Jackson Pollock is the pride of Australia

Jackson Pollocks Blue poles (1952), which measures more than four metres long, is the pride of the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra. Rarely lent, it has made a longer journey than most of the works on show in the Royal Academy of Arts Abstract Expressionism show, which opens this weekend (24 September-2 January 2017) in London. The NGAs director, Gerard Vaughan, has also travelled from Canberra to London. Acquired in 1973, the purchase caused a ruckus at the time. Critics denounce