When Blue Poles scandalised the nation in 1973, OâKeeffe was just a teenager, trying-on different versions of herself. Her parents disapproved of the painting but were ardent Whitlam supporters. âMy older sister was very anti-Whitlam and I was very influenced by her,â she says over a drink in the gallery cafe. âI didnât know anything about politics, but I used to love fighting with my parents. The day he was sacked, my father just looked at me and said, âI suppose youâre happyâ. And I thought, this is actually serious. Youâre hurt by whatâs happened in Canberra today.â