Abstract Expressionism - a catalyst for, or a product of, social and cultural revolution?

Abstract Expressionism - a catalyst for, or a product of, social and cultural revolution?

Australian society was still relatively conservative on the tail end of the global cultural revolution during and after the U.S. military-industrial cartel's, weapons 'trade show', which was the Vietnam conflict of the 1960s. To add to the mainstream conservative public's bemusement with the perceived 'scandalous' behaviours and philosophies of Treasurer, Dr. Jim Cairns, his parliamentary chief of staff, Junie Morossi and indeed Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, came the purchase of this $1.3 million piece of abstract art. The gallery's director at the time, James Mollison, was not able to authorize purchases over $1 million, so the acquisition was personally approved by Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam.

Abstract Expressionism: Blue Poles. Artist: Jackson Pollock. [Image: Wikipedia}

At a time when Australia was crying out for a national identity of our own, and subsequent to this break from conservative tradition, the Whitlam Government went on to lead Australia's emergence as a nation with a social and cultural conscience and consciousness through groundbreaking social and cultural change such as Mabo and granting of traditional ownership of land title. The duly elected Whitlam Government was historically 'dismissed' from office in 1975 on the back of an archaic British monarchial instrumentality, the then Queen's "Sherif of Nottingham", Governor-General, Sir John Kerr.

Did the purchase of 'Blue Poles' ignite the conservative and monarchist push to retain Australian culture as a hybrid of England?