An important influence for artists around the world was the large abstract expressionist exhibition of American Art which toured Europe in 1959 to present the new movement to the world. The show was supported by the US government and was a strong.

catalyst for changes that occurred in Milan's work after 1959; namely dropping the trees theme from the mid 1950s which had influenced McCahon in relation to his Titirangi paintings.

Gouache 61-1 is a directly applied, rather than a monotype like some of the smaller works of the time. The decisions made are essential to this work, the subtlety of the colours chosen, the freedom of the method of application and the sparseness of the composition.