Charles Blackman

Charles Raymond Blackman (12 August 1928 – 20 August 2018) was a prominent Australian painter, celebrated for his evocative and poetic imagery. 

 

He gained recognition for his 'Schoolgirl' and 'Alice in Wonderland' series during the 1950s. 

 

His works often delve into themes of innocence, vulnerability, and the subconscious. 

 

Blackman was a founding member of the Antipodeans, a group of leading painters including Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, John Brack, Robert Dickerson, John Perceval, and Clifton Pugh. They championed figurative art in opposition to abstract expressionism. 

 

A portrait of Blackman by Jon Molvig won the Archibald Prize in 1966.

 

In 1977, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to Australian art.