Charles Blackman is a major figure in Australian art of the post-war years. His haunting and enchanting images of women and girls, absorbed in daydreams or games have an enduring appeal. Two significant themes in his work have been the Schoolgirl and Alice in Wonderland. Deep shadows and the accentuation of his figure's eyes occur throughout Blackman's works with a pervasive sense of melancholy.

Charles Blackman was largely self-taught, but he attended night classes in drawing and design at the East Sydney Technical College from 1942-45 under Hayward Veal. Blackman was a co-founder of the Melbourne Contemporary Art Society in 1953 and was one of seven Antipodeans responsible for the Antipodean Manifesto - a reaction against what they saw as the meteoric rise of abstract expressionism and non-figurative art in Australia and its intolerance of figurative painting. He has exhibited frequently since and is known for his facility in drawing.

In 1951 Blackman married a poet, Barbara Patterson, who was to become a lasting presence in his work. Blackman has won many awards throughout his career, including the Rowney prize for drawing in 1959, the Helena Rubenstein Scholarship in 1960, the Dyeson Endowment Award and the Crouch Prize. Blackman's work was included in the Whitechapel Open Exhibition in 1961 and Tate Gallery exhibitions of Australian Art 1962-63. A major retrospective, 'Schoolgirls and Angels,' was organised in 1993 by the National Gallery of Victoria, touring to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. In 1997 Blackman was awarded an OBE for his services to art. His work is held in all Australian state and most regional galleries, institutional and private collections.

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Charles Blackman
The Kiss II
Etching 19/40
29 x 20.7cm(image)
47.5 x 23cm(paper)
no.9992

Charles Blackman
Nightfall Mysterious House
Etching 37/40
35 x 25cm (image size)
52 x 38cm (paper size)
no.9973

Charles Blackman
Boy & Bird
Etching 70/75
30 x 45cm(image size)
52.4 x 75cm (paper size)
no.9989

Charles Blackman
Unicorn Magic Garden
Etching 4/40
49 x 59.5cm (image size)
56.3 x 76.5cm (paper)
no.9977

Charles Blackman
Papillon
Etching 4/10
Six individual etchings
Each: 12.2 x 17cm (image)
Total: 41 x 36.5cm (image)
65.5 x 53.5cm(paper)
no.9976

Charles Blackman
Entranced Man 1991
Oil on canvas
100 x 120 cm
no.5468
SOLD

Charles Blackman
Magic Forest c.2000
Coloured etching W/P
30 x 45cm(plate size)
no.9749

Charles Blackman
Crusader
Etching AP III/VI
12 x 17cm
no.7982

Charles Blackman
Myth
Etching 32/50
12 x 17cm
no.7983
currently unavailable

Charles Blackman
Flute c.1980
Watercolour, ink & crayon
109 x 88cm
SOLD

Charles Blackman
Thumbelina
Etching
75.5 x 55.5cm (paper size)
currently unavailable

Charles Blackman
Alice's Farewell
Etching
26 x 19.5cm (plate size)
currently unavailable

Charles Blackman
Alice's Book of Butterflies
Silkscreen print
77 x 57cm (paper size)
currently unavailable

Charles Blackman
Colette's Cat I
Etching
20 x 15 cm (plate size)
37.5 x 28cm (paper size)
currently unavailable

Charles Blackman
Top Cat
Etching
22.5 x 30 cm (image size)
66.5 x 51 cm (sheet size)
currently unavailable