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Betty Churcher gets her Surrealism exhibition

Keith Stacey

This charming anecdote provided to remind us that trading opportunities abound and it is only our failure recognize them that limits our potential.

In her wonderful book “Notebooks” Betty Churcher, ex-Director of the National Gallery, recounts a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She was there to borrow paintings for an exhibition is Australia on “Surrealism”.

The Director of MoMA insisted that their paintings never leave their walls and it appeared that she would leave empty-handed.

Fortunately, as he said farewell he mentioned that the MoMa was having a Jackson Pollock retrospective and how much they would love to have Blue Poles. “Oh”, remarked Betty, "but that is hanging on our walls". The penny dropped and she received all the paintings she required.

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