Special Events

Blue Poles

Canberra International Music Festival

A painting consisting of splashes of multi coloured paint with large vertical stripes of dark blue paint.

Jackson Pollock, Blue Poles, 1952, purchased 1973 © Pollock-Krasner Foundation. ARS/Copyright Agency

At the Gallery
Sun 8 May 2022, 2.30pm
Wheelchair Accessible
Book now

James Fairfax Theatre

Canberra International Music Festival celebrates Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles (1952) with a curated performance featuring the world premiere of composer Brian Howard's Blue Poles, String Quartet no. 5.

One of the boldest bursts of raw painterly energy ever committed to canvas holds pride of place in the National Gallery. Hear how American modernism found a lasting presence in the new city of Canberra.

Program:
Ruth Crawford Seeger, Andante
John Cage, 4’33”
Brian Howard, Blue Poles, String Quartet no. 5 (world premiere)

Artists:
Alma Moodie Quartet
Matthew Doyle, Didgeridoo